United States v. Hakeem Abdul Rasheed, AKA Clifford Jones, United States of America v. Janice Phillips

Rasheed, the founder of a church, was indicted on six counts of mail fraud, 18 U.S.C. § 1341 , one count of obstruction of justice, 18 U.S.C. § 1503 , and one count of making a material false declaration to a grand jury, 18 U.S.C. § 1623 . Phillips, his associate, was charged with five counts of aiding and abetting Rasheed in the conduct of his mail fraud scheme, two counts of obstruction of justice, and one count of making a material false declaration to a grand jury. They were tried together on all counts. The jury convicted Rasheed and Phillips on all the mail fraud counts. The jury also convicted Phillips, but acquitted Rasheed, on the obstruction of justice charges. The jury acquitted both on the false statement counts. Both raise several contentions on appeal, including charges that their First Amendment rights have been violated. We affirm the convictions.

I

In early 1977, Rasheed founded the Church of Hakeem. The Church was incorporated under California law, and received tax exempt status as a religious institution.

Rasheed preached about the importance of a positive self-image through belief in one’s self. He taught that one could achieve one’s desires by focusing and…