United States v. Lamar Herman Larsen

LaMar Herman Larsen appeals from a judgment of conviction entered after a jury trial on a charge that he intentionally devised a scheme to defraud various companies issuing credit cards and, in connection therewith, used the United States mail. 18 U.S.C. § 1341 . He contends that the evidence was insufficient to show a scheme to defraud and that the court erred in denying his motion to strike certain exhibits. Finding no error, we affirm.

On September 25, 1968, appellant mailed an application to Shell Oil Company for a gasoline credit card. At the top of the application, appellant printed the name “Lars Harvey Larsen,” who was his father. Appellant indicated that he was 72 years old, that he had been employed as a school teacher and farmer for 38 years, and was a person with reasonably modest assets and a stable background. The application was signed “L. H. Larsen,” which, of course, matched both appellant’s and his father’s initials. A credit card was issued and, in a few months time, appellant had incurred a debt of over $2,000 to Shell, signing each invoice as “L. H. Larsen.”

A similar application was received by Carte Blanche five months later, but this application was…