United States v. Michael Issac Lasky, United States of America v. Darleen Elford, United States of America v. Timothy A. Lantz

Defendants Lasky, Elford, and Lantz appeal from jury verdicts finding the defendants guilty of multiple counts of mail fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1341 .

On appeal, the defendants raise the following objections: (1) that the United States Attorney was required to inform the grand jury of the favorable outcome of a postal administrative hearing; (2) that collateral estoppel bars the initiation of the current criminal prosecution; (3) that certain evidence was improperly admitted; (4) that the evidence was insufficient to support the convictions; (5) that the government’s examination of two witnesses was improper; and (6) that the court erred in restricting defense counsel’s closing argument.

We find none of the alleged errors requires reversal and affirm the respective convictions.

Lasky was the president of Space Advertising, Inc. (Space). Elford was the office manager, and Lantz acted as supervisor of sales and collections. Space was in the business of soliciting the placing of orders for advertising in various newspapers in the Los Angeles area and charging fees for advertising so placed.

The business practices of Space became the subject of an investigation by the…