Document: 444 U.S. 37 100 S.Ct. 311 62 L.Ed.2d 199 Vincent R. PERRIN, Jr., Petitioner,v.UNITED STATES. No. 78-959. Argued Oct. 3, 1979. Decided Nov. 27, Syllabus Petitioner, with others, was indicted for violating and conspiring to violate the Travel Act, 18 U.S.C. § 1952, which makes it a federal offense travel or use facility in interstate commerce commit, inter alia, "bribery . violation of laws State committed." Petitioner his codefendants were charged using facilities promote commercial bribery scheme Louisiana, i. e., exploit geological exploration data stolen from Louisiana-based company by an employee who promised percentage profits realized exploitation information. convicted, Court Appeals affirmed, rejecting contention that Congress intended "bribery" Act include only public officials. Held : Bribery private employees prohibited state criminal statutes violates Act. Pp. 41-50. (a) By 1961, when enacted as part legislative program directed against "organized crime," common understanding had extended beyond its early common-law definitions limiting In 42 States legislation, included individuals acting capacity. 41-45. (b) The generic definition bribery, rather than narrow limited officials, Congress. References history purposes scope well other bills package crime" legislation aimed at supplementing enforcement, indicate Members, Committees, draftsmen used payments influence their actions. recognized 1961 persons widely highly organized efforts infiltrate gain control legitimate businesses, area special concern enacting Cf. United v. Nardello, 393 286, 89 534, 21 487. 45-49. (c) Federalism principles do not dictate interpretation here. So long requisite nexus is present (sufficiency no longer being issue this case), statute reflects clear deliberate intent on Congress' alter federal-state balance order reinforce law enforcement. Rewis States, 401 808, 91 1056, 28 493 distinguished. 49-50. 5 Cir., 580 F.2d 730, affirmed. Leonard B. Boudin, New York City, petitioner. Stephen M. Shapiro, Washington, D. C., respondent. Mr. Chief Justice BURGER delivered opinion Court. 1 We granted certiorari resolve Circuit conflict1 whether constitutes committed" within meaning 1952. 2 * Perrin four codefendants2 Eastern District Louisiana 371. provides part: 3 "(a) Whoever travels foreign uses any commerce, including mail, to— 4 "(1) distribute proceeds unlawful activity; "(2) commit crime violence further 6 "(3) otherwise promote, manage, establish, carry on, facilitate promotion, management, establishment, carrying activity, 7 "and thereafter performs attempts perform acts specified subparagraphs (1), (2), (3), shall be fined more $10,000 imprisoned five years, both. 8 "(b) As subsection 'unlawful activity' means (1) business enterprise involving gambling, liquor Federal excise tax has been paid, narcotics controlled substances (as defined section 102(6) Controlled Substances Act), prostitution offenses they are committed (2) extortion, arson States." 9 indictment purpose promoting Louisiana.3 10 Following jury trial, convicted conspiracy count two substantive counts. He received 1-year suspended sentence each three 11 Government's evidence trial Perrin, David Levy, Duffy LaFont engaged obtained Petty-Ray Geophysical Co. Petty-Ray, company, conducting explorations selling oil companies. At executives testified confidentiality imperative conduct business. economic value would undermined if protected. Moreover, disclosure after sale interfere contractual rights purchaser injure Petty-Ray's relationship customers. 12 June 1975 importuned Roger Willis, steal confidential employer. exchange, Willis corporation created Willis' position analyst seismic gave him access relevant material, he turn surreptitiously provided conspirators. consulting geologist, brought into interpret analyze data. 13 late July met LaFont, Levy. call firm Richmond, Tex., obtain gravity maps aid evaluation.4 After meeting, contacted Bureau Investigation disclosed details scheme. agreed permit conversations between himself participants recorded. Forty-seven tapes made, large number played jury. 14 Fifth affirmed Perrin's conviction, court also rejected challenges constitutionality statute, sufficiency establish jurisdiction under Act,5 failure judge sever petitioner's codefendants.6 730. II 15 argues confined definition, official. contends because law, fails charge offense.7 16 one several 87th Attorney General's crime." Then General Robert Kennedy Senate House hearings needed local governments able cope increasingly complex nature large-scale, multiparty crime. stated "dry up" traditional sources funds such illegal activities. Legislation Relating Organized Crime: Hearings H.R. 468, 1246, etc., before Subcommittee Committee Judiciary, Cong., 1st Sess. (1961) (hereinafter Hearings); Program Curb Crime Racketeering: S. 1653, 1654, Hearings). 17 To remedy gap authority investigatory agencies, employed now familiar power Commerce Clause Constitution prohibit activities have nexus. See e. g., 1201 (federal kidnaping statute); 2312 (interstate transportation automobiles). That consciously linking enforcement powers resources Governments deal crimes shown "unlawful activity" "enterprise gambling , "extortion [or] Because reference existing doubt add second layer what found inadequate begin language itself. Southeastern Community College Davis, 442 397, 405, 99 2361, 2367, 60 980 (1979); TVA Hill, 437 153, 173, 98 2279, 2291, 57 117 (1978). A fundamental canon statutory construction that, unless defined, words will interpreted taking ordinary, contemporary, meaning. Burns Alcala, 420 575, 580-581, 95 1180, 1184, 43 469 (1975). Therefore, we look ordinary term time 1961. light contentions consider first development evolution definition. 19 corruption judges. E. Coke, Institutes*144,*147 (1628). Blackstone, "other person concerned administration justice" giver receiver bribe. W. Commentaries*139-*140 (1765). writings 19th-century scholar inform us expanded official voters witnesses well. J. Stephen, Digest Criminal Law 85-87 (1877). And 20th century, England adopted Prevention Corruption making agents employees. 1906, Edw. 7, ch. 34, amended 1916, & Geo. 5, 64. 20 country, Although chose enact general perceived abuses areas required particular legislation. specifically sense actions Transportation 1940, 49 1(17)(b) (prohibiting carriers), 1960 Amendments Communications 47 509(a)(2) television game show contestants).8 similar enlargement manifested itself states prior Fourteen outlawed generally.9 An additional outlawing corrupt duties fields, agents, carrier telegraph employees, labor bank sporting events.10 22 sum, definitions. capacity.11 It background passed. III 23 On previous occasion took note sparse 811, 1059, (1971). record floor debates discloses made attempt define "bribery," but relied accepted contemporary There ample references there indication so limit Indeed, consideration 24 Senator Keating, instance, expressed about gamblers racketeers athletics. indicated belief sports scandals could dealt 327-328. opening statement both "gamblers bribed college basketball players shave points games." 25; 6. related bill grant immunity testifying racketeering cases, repeated need curb management officials involved disputes. 84. suggested content yet did word narrow, sense. 25 "management" "white-collar" generally associated Brecht, 540 45, 50 (CA2 1976), cert. denied, 429 1123, 97 1160, 51 573 (1977). From this, encompass 26 notion unrelated unknown called foundation. make major congressional infiltration (remarks Chairman Celler). Legitimate businesses come hide income derived sources. Committees investigating these those infiltrated often same techniques expand operations sales enterprises. Thus, discussing groups nongambling amusement games, McClellan reported organization achieved holdings "force, terror union officials." Final Report Select Improper Activities Labor Management Field, S.Rep.No. 1139, 86th 2d Sess., 856 (1960). 27 1960, like Kefauver 1950-1951, documented numerous specific instances businesses. Committee, example, "shylocking" operation began substantial unsecured line credit "by gifts Id., 772-773. explored, among high-ranking Ford Motor believed members groups. Its exploited dealerships hauling contracts. Third Interim Special Investigate Interstate Commerce, S.Rep. 307, 82d 75 (1951). id., 160-161 (expressing "corruption talked controlling score game").12 can little 29 Our approach ascertaining must guided our holding 487 (1969), where provision review case There, respondents traveling engage extortion contrary Pennsylvania Pennsylvania's "extortion" applied However, appellees entitled "blackmail." Nardello argued, does here, sense, 30 Warren unanimous argument meaning, noted pressed "shakedown rackets," "shylocking," methods frequently generate 31 Nardello's adopt "extortion," stated: 32 "In decline give 'extortion' unnaturally reading thus conclude fall Act." U.S., 296, S.Ct., 539. 33 similarly persuaded Congress.13 IV 34 broad serious federalism implications. relies particularly alsoUnited Bass, 404 336, 349-350, 92 515, 523, 488 factual setting very different case. confronted prosecution proprietors establishment located few miles south Georgia-Florida line. numbers operation; moreover, readily identify customers crossed lines. instructed third traveled Georgia Florida place bets, sufficient supply element necessary sustain conviction reversing, cautioned "an expansive sensitive relationships, overextend police resources, transform relatively minor felonies." 812, 1059. 35 Reliance articulated misplaced. tenuous element. Looking light, held intend should apply activity solely sometimes patronized another State. Ibid. 36 Here, issue. Rather, present, defining activity," clearly intention violations law. Until contravene some Constitution, choice Congress, courts. hold statutes. Accordingly, judgment 38 Affirmed. 39 WHITE decision 45 (1977) (holding Act); Pomponio, 511 953 (CA4), 423 874, 96 142, 46 105 (1975) Act). Also petitioner Albert Izuel, Jim Haddox. Proceedings Izuel Haddox severed court, charges subsequently dismissed. Louisiana's La.Rev.Stat.Ann. 14.73 (West 1974), "Commercial giving offering give, directly indirectly, anything apparent prospective agent, employee, fiduciary, without knowledge consent principal employer, agent's, employee's, fiduciary's action relation principal's employer's affairs." Government claimed purposefully out-of-state supplier less likely notice leasing Louisiana. Phone calls subsequent shipment materials Richmond Continental Bus provide jurisdictionally support prosecutions. Levy convicted; Petitions filed 78-5930, 78-5855, pending contentions, claim asserted ambiguity resulted adequate violated laws, merit discussion. Examples receiving 215 officers loans); 41 contractors secure subcontracts); 186 officials). currently codified Conn.Gen.Stat. §§ 53a-160, 53a-161 1972) (enacted 1905); 1974) 1920); Mass.Gen.Laws Ann., 271, 1970) 1904); Mich.Comp.Laws 750.125 (1968) Miss.Code Ann. 97-11-11, 97-11-13 (1973) 1857); Neb.Rev.Stat. 28-710 1907); N.Y.Penal 180.00-180.03 (McKinney Supp. 1978-1979) N.C.Gen.Stat. 14-353 (1969) 1913); Pa.Stat.Ann., Tit. 18, 4108 (Purdon 1973) 1939); R.I.Gen.Laws 11-7-3, 11-7-4 (1970) 1881); S.C.Code 16-17-540 Vt.Stat.Ann., 13, 1106 (1974) Va.Code 18.2-444 1950); Wis.Stat. 134.05 (1978) 1905). Of 14, most reaching labor, banking, bribery. current codifications Ala.Code 13-4-9 (sports); Alaska Stat.Ann. 42.20.110 (1976) (telegraph agent); Ariz.Rev.Stat.Ann. 4-243 (1974), 13-2309 (alcoholic beverages, sports); Ark.Stat.Ann. 41-3288 (1977), 67-707 (1966) (sports, banking); Cal.Penal Code 337b-337e, 641 Cal.Fin.Code 3350 1968) Colo.Rev.Stat. 18-5-403 Del.Code 28, 701-704 Fla.Stat. 838.12 Haw.Rev.Stat. 708-880 Ill.Rev.Stat., 38, 29-1 29-3 Ind.Code 35-18-10-1, 35-18-10-2, 35-18-12-1, 35-18-12-2 (common carrier, Iowa 722.3 (1979) Ky.Rev.Stat. 244.600 (1972), 518.040-050 Me.Rev.Stat.Ann., 17, 3601 (1965) (labor); Md.Ann.Code, Art. 24, Minn.Stat. 609.825 (1964) Mo.Rev.Stat. 570.155 Mont.Code 94-35-221 Nev.Rev.Stat. 614.140, 707.120 (labor, N.J.Stat.Ann. 2A:91-1, 2A:93-7, 2A:93-10 1969) (banking, Ohio Rev.Code 2915.06 Okla.Stat., 21, 399, 400 (1971) Ore.Rev.Stat. 165.515 S.D.Comp.Laws 36-18-28 (1967) (architects); Tenn.Code 39-821, 39-824 39-826 carriers, Tex.Penal 32.43, 32.44 (attorneys, Wash.Rev.Code 49.44.020, 67.04.010 67.04.080 labor); W.Va.Code 61-10-22 (sports). Since eight nonpublic statutes, Georgia, Kansas, Hampshire, Mexico, North Dakota, Wyoming today. ALI, Model Penal 223.10, pp. 113-117, Comments (Tent. Draft 11, 1960) ("all relations society trust kept corrupting bribery"); 224.8 (Prop.Off.Draft 1962) (containing prohibition bribery). passage conclusion tool Crime, Stolen Securities: Investigations Operations, 92d 675-683 (bribing banking institutions accept pledges worthless securities brokerage houses securities); Techniques Converting Worthless Securities Cash: 242, 292-293, 361 insurance presidents buy company); Thefts Frauds: Permanent 93d 183, 239-240, 467-468, 475-476 certified accountants financial houses). analysis leads reject application maxim concerning ambit resolved favor lenity. Bell 349 81, 83, 620, 622, L.Ed. 905 (1955). rule cases courts faced genuine ambiguity, lenity applies " 'when uncertain statute's meaning,' 'not complete disregard legislature.' Culbert, 435 371, 379, 1112, 1116, 55 (1978), quoting Scarborough 431 563, 577, 1963, 1970, 52 582 leaves room uncertainty

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