United States v. George Dadanian and Jean Dadanian

The petition for rehearing is granted.

We have reexamined our opinion, 818 F.2d 1443 (9th Cir.1987), in light of the subsequent case of McNally v. United States, — U.S. —, 107 S.Ct. 2875 , 97 L.Ed.2d 292 (1987). We conclude that McNally was violated and that the failure to instruct the jury on the “property” element was not harmless error. See Rose v. Clark, 478 U.S. 570 , 106 S.Ct. 3101, 3107-09 , 92 L.Ed.2d 460 (1986); Pope v. Illinois, 481 U.S. 497 , 107 S.Ct. 1918, 1921-22 , 95 L.Ed.2d 439 (1987). We also conclude that the Dadanians’ scheme to obtain the gambling license did not affect the City of Bell’s interests as a property-holder. See McNally, 107 S.Ct. at 2881 n. 8. Cf. Carpenter v. United States, — U.S. —, 108 S.Ct. 316 , 98 L.Ed.2d 275 (1987). Moreover, the other convictions fail to supply the “property” element required under the mail fraud statute. See McNally, 107 S.Ct. at 2880-81 . The Dadanians’ convictions for mail fraud are reversed.

However, the judgment against defendants still stands as to counts ten, eleven, and twelve. The sentences on counts ten, eleven and twelve will remain intact. The court will vacate the sentences on the mail fraud counts.

The…