United States v. Edward Ford, Robert Little, John Felix, Solomon Johnson, Phillip Usquiano, Marcus Thompson, E. Dene Armstrong

Bad Law

632 F.2d 1354

United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth CircuitNovember 19, 198077-2731, 77-2741, 77-2772, 77-2832, 77-2833, 77-2847 and 77-2907California13,887 words

Opinion

Wallace, J.

Appellants were trustees of three trust funds established by collective bargaining agreements between the International Laborers Union, Local 89 of San Diego (Local 89) and various employer organizations. The trusts included (1) the San Diego County Construction Laborer’s Pension Fund (pension trust), (2) the San Diego County Construction Laborer’s Group Insurance Trust (health and welfare trust), and (3) the San Diego County Construction Laborer’s Vacation Trust (vacation trust). All counts upon which appellants were convicted relate to schemes designed to enrich the trustees at the expense of the trusts. Appellants contend that the evidence presented at trial is insufficient to support their convictions and that various procedural errors require reversal.

This case is a companion of United States v. Andreen, 628 F.2d 1236 , (9th Cir. 1980) (Andreen), wherein we reviewed the conviction of the trust attorney on four of the counts before us in this case. A detailed summary of background facts is set forth in Andreen . This opinion will state only those facts necessary to resolution of the appellants’ contentions.

We will first review the sufficiency of the evidence presented at…

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Parties

UNITED STATES of America-
Plaintiff
Edward FORD, Robert Little, John Felix, Solomon Johnson, Phillip Usquiano, Marcus Thompson, E. Dene Armstrong-
Defendant

Judges

Wallace
Kennedy
Lucas

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