Court Opinion

ID: 2762417
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-12-18 17:00:49.676313+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T10:43:43.613957
License: Public Domain

NOT RECOMMENDED FOR FULL-TEXT PUBLICATION
                          File Name: 14a0936n.06

                                   Case Nos. 13-4286/4289
                                                                                   FILED
                         UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS                        Dec 18, 2014
                              FOR THE SIXTH CIRCUIT                        DEBORAH S. HUNT, Clerk

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,                           )
                                                    )
       Plaintiff-Appellee,                          )
                                                    )        ON APPEAL FROM THE
v.                                                  )        UNITED STATES DISTRICT
                                                    )        COURT FOR THE
DON GOOCH and GERARD SCOTT,                         )        NORTHERN DISTRICT OF
                                                    )        OHIO
       Defendants-Appellants.                       )
                                                    )
                                                    )
                                                    )                          OPINION

BEFORE: McKEAGUE and KETHLEDGE, Circuit Judges; BERTELSMAN, District
Judge.

       McKEAGUE, Circuit Judge. Gerard Scott and Don Gooch went to trial and were

convicted of an $8 million tax-fraud scheme. The district court had appointed them counsel

but the defendants chose to represent themselves after appointed counsel did not adopt their

tax-protester theories of the case. In this appeal, Scott and Gooch argue the district court

should have ordered evaluations of their competency, given their unusual tax-protester

beliefs, as well as continuances to ensure them sufficient trial-preparation time. We affirm

the district court. A tax-protester defense, taken alone, does not signal mental incompetence

and bald assertions of unpreparedness do not establish actual prejudice.

       
         The Honorable William O. Bertelsman, Senior United States District Judge for the
Eastern District of Kentucky, sitting by designation.
Case Nos. 13-4286 /4289, United States v. Gooch / United States v. Scott

                                               I.

       Scott and Gooch’s scheme involved a “rare” trust known as a “nonmortgage widely-

held fixed investment trust” or NMWHFIT. Scott and Gooch submitted false tax returns on

behalf of several NMWHFITs, reporting approximately $17 million in withholdings when no

withholdings had been paid to the IRS. Scott and Gooch used the false returns to claim

approximately $8 million in refunds before the scheme unraveled and the men were indicted

on May 23, 2013, for conspiring to defraud the United States and for making false claims

against the United States. On June 5, 2013, Gooch and Scott were each appointed counsel

but it soon became clear that the men had not taken to their lawyers.

                                                A.

       On June 26, Scott moved to represent himself. A hearing was held two days later,

where Scott explained his belief that most represented defendants are “pretty much forced to

plea or scared to take a plea” but that Scott had “exculpatory evidence … that would pretty

much turn the tides[.]”     Scott also suggested he was “an international diplomate with

immunity and at peace with the United States, as well as a nonadverse party to the alleged

allegation.” The court reserved ruling on the motion but told Scott it was “leaning” toward

granting it. On July 19, Scott’s lawyer filed an 18 U.S.C. § 4241 motion to have Scott’s

competency evaluated. The court denied the motion.

                                                B.

       Around the same time, Gooch began making pro se filings, including a notice

declaring his lawyer incompetent and a motion to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction on the

ground that Gooch was governed only “by God’s law.” Unsurprisingly, Gooch also stopped

                                               2
Case Nos. 13-4286 /4289, United States v. Gooch / United States v. Scott

talking to his lawyer, causing his lawyer to file a motion for leave to withdraw. The motion

was denied. The lawyer then informed the court that Gooch wanted to represent himself.

The court took up the request at a Friday, July 26 hearing, three days before trial. At the

hearing, the court granted Gooch’s request for self-representation as well as Scott’s

outstanding request from June 26. The lawyers were reassigned as standby counsel, and both

confirmed that Gooch and Scott already had the needed discovery.

                                                C.

       Trial began that Monday on July 29.           At voir dire, Scott orally moved for a

continuance, claiming he had received the discovery only after his motion was granted the

Friday before and that he was unprepared for trial. The court reminded Scott that self-

representation had been a possibility for much longer than Friday and, that according to his

lawyer, discovery had also been turned over to Scott long before. The court denied the

motion and the case proceeded to trial with Gooch and Scott representing themselves.

       At trial, Gooch and Scott put forth an unusual defense. They claimed to know, even

if the IRS did not, that NMWHFITs permitted a trustee to issue his own tax credits and thus,

they had no intent to defraud the United States by claiming the credits. Gooch and Scott

cross-examined the Government’s witnesses on potential bias, among other things. The

defendants called no witnesses of their own and did not testify in their own defense.

       After three days of trial, the jury found Gooch and Scott guilty on all counts. Scott

received a total concurrent sentence of 240 months and Gooch received a total concurrent

sentence of 212 months. This appeal followed.

                                               3
Case Nos. 13-4286 /4289, United States v. Gooch / United States v. Scott

                                              III.

                                              A.

       On appeal, Scott and Gooch fault the district court for not ordering competency

evaluations before granting their self-representation motions. Because Scott moved for a

competency evaluation, we ask whether denial of that motion was an abuse of discretion.

See United States v. Ross, 703 F.3d 856, 857 (6th Cir. 2012) (citation omitted). Because

Gooch did not make a motion, we ask whether the failure to order Gooch an evaluation was

plain error. See United States v. Mack, 729 F.3d 594, 607 (6th Cir. 2013).

       18 U.S.C. § 4241 requires a district court to order a competency evaluation, upon a

party’s motion or sua sponte, “if there is reasonable cause to believe” the defendant is

incompetent to stand trial. Id. § 4241(a). A defendant is incompetent to stand trial when he

lacks a “sufficient present ability to consult with his lawyer with a reasonable degree of

rational understanding” or lacks “a rational as well as factual understanding of the

proceedings against him.” Dusky v. United States, 362 U.S. 402, 402 (1960).

       We have examined the record and conclude there was insufficient evidence to doubt

the defendants’ competence to stand trial. Yes, they espoused fringe views associated with

the “sovereign citizen” or “tax protester” movement.1 But merely believing in fringe views

       1
         The “sovereign citizen” movement is a highly disperse, antigovernment movement. Tax
protesting or tax defiance seems to be a logical consequence of the movement’s beliefs. In
general, sovereign citizens believe that the United States Government, including the IRS, is a
fraud and that “they, the sovereign citizens, retain an individual common law identity exempting
them from the authority of those fraudulent government institutions.” See A Quick Guide to
Sovereign      Citizens,    Univ.      of      N.C.      Sch.    of    Gov’t    (Mar.     2013),
http://www.sog.unc.edu/sites/www.sog.unc.edu/files/Sovereign%20citizens%20brief%20guide%
20Mar%2013.pdf (last visited Dec. 15, 2014).

                                               4
Case Nos. 13-4286 /4289, United States v. Gooch / United States v. Scott

does not mean someone cannot cooperate with his lawyer or understand the judicial

proceedings around him. See United States v. James, 328 F.3d 953, 955 (7th Cir. 2003).

        Scott and Gooch seem to think otherwise.           Scott’s motion for a competency

evaluation stated only that his “thought process appear delusional and irrational.” Gooch’s

appellate brief points to Gooch’s use of “the incomprehensible babble of … the ‘Sovereign

Nation’ ” as sufficient grounds to question Gooch’s competence. While tax-protester beliefs

may be “delusional and irrational” to many, the beliefs themselves are irrelevant to the Dusky

competence standard. Instead, what matters is the defendant’s ability to communicate with

his lawyer and to understand the legal proceedings. See Drope, 420 U.S. at 171–72 (citing

Dusky, 462 U.S. at 402).

        Thus, the question is not whether a defendant has tax-protester or other fringe beliefs

but whether possessing those beliefs establishes, without more, a deeper breakdown in

communicative ability (i.e., ability to communicate with one’s lawyers) or cognitive ability

(i.e., ability to understand the ongoing legal proceedings).      We answer that question as

several of our sister circuits have: with a resounding “no.” The Seventh Circuit put the point

well:

        The only reason adduced, in the district court or this one, for thinking James
        incompetent to stand trial is the unusual nature of his beliefs….Many litigants
        articulate beliefs that have no legal support—think of tax protesters who insist
        that wages are not income, that taxes are voluntary, or that only foreigners
        must pay taxes; or think of homeowners who contend that because their
        property can be traced to a land grant signed by President Fillmore their
        mortgages can’t be foreclosed. Sometimes these beliefs are sincerely held,
        sometimes they are advanced only to annoy the other side, but in neither event
        do they imply mental instability or concrete intellect so deficient that trial is
        impossible.

                                               5
Case Nos. 13-4286 /4289, United States v. Gooch / United States v. Scott

James, 328 F.3d at 955 (emphasis added); see also United States v. Brown, 669 F.3d 10, 18–

19 (1st Cir. 2012); United States v. Landers, 564 F.3d 1217, 1222 (10th Cir. 2009); United

States v. Oehler, 116 F. App’x 43, 45 (8th Cir. 2004).

       Scott and Gooch were not incapable of communicating with their lawyers or of

understanding the ongoing proceedings.         Their statements in court showed they had

discussed trial strategy with their attorneys but disagreed with them and decided the better

course was to ignore the attorneys and represent themselves. An inability to communicate

with counsel might be cause for concern. The decision not to speak to one’s lawyer is a

defendant’s prerogative, not a sign of mental incompetence.

       Additionally, the district court held hearings on the self-representation motions. At

the hearings, Scott and Gooch affirmed that they grasped the severity of the charges against

them and understood the proceedings generally. At trial, they cross-examined witnesses with

a reasonable, though not necessarily sophisticated, understanding of evidentiary rules and

concepts like witness bias. See Robidoux v. O’Brien, 643 F.3d 334, 339 (1st Cir. 2011) (a

defendant must understand the “essentials—for example, the charges, basic procedure,

possible defense—but not of legal sophistication”). And Scott and Gooch appeared to show

respect, though disagreement, with the judge and standby counsel.

       For these reasons, we find the district court did not abuse its discretion by denying

Scott’s motion for a competence evaluation or commit plain error by failing to order Gooch a

competence evaluation sua sponte.2

       2
         Some facts unique to Scott’s appeal also require our attention. Aside from the
unusual nature of his beliefs, Scott argues that his state-court referral in 2005 to a psychiatric
clinic warranted a competency evaluation. This argument is unavailing. The referral was

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Case Nos. 13-4286 /4289, United States v. Gooch / United States v. Scott

                                                B.

       Scott and Gooch also challenge the district court’s granting of their self-

representation motions. This Court has yet to identify the standard of review for a trial

court’s decision to permit self-representation. Ross, 703 F.3d at 866–87. However, we need

not resolve this issue since it is not dispositive and has not been briefed.

       While the competence needed for self-representation is greater than the competence

needed to stand trial, see Indiana v. Edwards, 554 U.S. 164, 177–78 (2008), Scott and

Gooch’s behavior did not suggest they were incompetent to represent themselves.              The

defendants made knowing and intelligent waivers of the right to counsel. The district court

conducted in-depth colloquies and substantially asked the model questions set forth in the

Bench Book for United States District Judge. See Ross, 703 F.3d at 867.

       Yet, even after full and fair questioning and contrary recommendations from the

judge, Scott and Gooch continued to insist on self-representation. Given Scott and Gooch’s

colloquies, the district court made a supported finding that they knowingly and voluntarily

waived the right to counsel, even if the district court did not expressly state that the waivers

were knowing and voluntary. See United States v. Williams, 641 F.3d 758, 766 (6th Cir.

2011). For these reasons, we affirm the district court’s decision to permit self-representation.

made eight years before his tax-fraud indictment, and his lawyer could not find out, despite
investigation, whether Scott visited the clinic and, if he did, whether he was diagnosed with
any mental illness. Additionally, Scott’s lawyer spoke to Scott’s family and also could not
find any indication of mental illness. Given that scarcity of information, the district court did
not abuse its discretion by failing to order Scott a competency evaluation.

                                                7
Case Nos. 13-4286 /4289, United States v. Gooch / United States v. Scott

                                              C.

       Lastly, Scott and Gooch allege error as to when the district court granted their self-

representation motions. Scott made his motion on June 26. Gooch made his on July 24.

Neither motion was granted until July 26, three days before trial. Scott and Gooch claim this

timing denied them due process because it left them insufficient time to prepare for trial.

       Because Scott moved for a continuance—albeit on the first day of trial—we take

Scott to be appealing the denial of that motion. The denial of a motion for a continuance is

reviewed for abuse of discretion. United States v. Ellens, 43 F. App’x 746, 749 (6th Cir.

2002) (citation omitted). “Denial amounts to a constitutional violation only if there is an

unreasonable and arbitrary insistence upon expeditiousness in the face of a justifiable request

for delay.” United States v. Gallo, 763 F.2d 1504, 1523 (6th Cir. 1985). The defendant must

further show that “the denial resulted in actual prejudice to his defense.”         Id. at 1523

(quotation omitted).    Actual prejudice is shown if the “continuance would have made

relevant witnesses available or added something to the defense.” United States v. King, 127
F.3d 483, 487 (6th Cir. 1997).

       Because Gooch did not move for a continuance, 3 he failed to preserve the issue for

appeal and must show that the failure to grant him a continuance was plain error.

       The Court finds that Scott has not shown actual prejudice. Scott suggests that had a

continuance been granted, he could have conducted additional research. Yet he fails to

explain what issues needed research or how additional research would have added to his

       3
         Gooch was aware of his ability to seek a continuance from the court. Earlier in the
proceedings, his lawyer had requested—and been granted—a 14-day continuance to review
discovery. Gooch attended the hearing on the lawyer’s motion for a continuance.

                                               8
Case Nos. 13-4286 /4289, United States v. Gooch / United States v. Scott

defense. Scott also suggests that, with more time, he could have learned how to admit the

declarations which he alleged granted him the right tax credits. This argument is meritless.

       The declarations were not relevant evidence, as the district court noted. Moreover,

Scott had the assistance of standby counsel, the attorney originally serving as court-

appointed counsel.    Standby counsel was familiar with the facts, and Scott had every

opportunity to use standby counsel to his advantage. Indeed, Scott was told by the district

court to use standby counsel’s assistance on evidentiary types of issues.

       Lastly, Scott suggests the discovery was “thrown into [his] lap” after the self-

representation motion was granted. The record belies that assertion. At the hearing where

his self-representation motion was granted, Scott’s lawyer confirmed Scott had received the

needed discovery. Scott also knew the district court was “leaning” toward granting his self-

representation motion, giving Scott notice to prepare for self-representation.       For these

reasons, we find the district court did not abuse its discretion in denying Scott’s motion for a

continuance.

       Unlike Scott, Gooch did not seek a continuance after being granted the right to

represent himself and, even in his brief, fails to specify how a continuance would have

benefited his defense. Instead, he summarily writes that “Don P. Gooch suffered prejudice

by not having sufficient time to prepare for trial.” Gooch makes no attempt at substantively

developing his argument and all that can be gleaned from his brief is that single, conclusory

sentence.   This Court has warned that “[i]ssues adverted to in a perfunctory manner,

unaccompanied by some effort at developed argumentation, are deemed waived.” McPherson

v. Kelsey, 125 F.3d 989, 995 (6th Cir. 1997) (internal quotations and citation omitted).

                                               9
Case Nos. 13-4286 /4289, United States v. Gooch / United States v. Scott

Gooch’s brief fails to heed that warning and thus we find that Gooch has waived the right to

challenge the failure to order him a continuance.

                                              IV.

       For the foregoing reasons, we AFFIRM the district court in all respects.

                                              10