United States v. Syed Mohammed Masood Sharaf

MEMORANDUM *

Syed Mohammed Masood Sharaf (“Sharaf”) appeals from his conviction on ten *657 counts of bank fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1344 , and the sentence imposed by the district court. We affirm.

Sharaf first argues that the district court erred by not allowing him to offer a jury instruction regarding his proposed good-faith defense. We review the district court’s ruling de novo because it concerns “whether the instructions given adequately presented the defendant’s theory of the case,” United States v. Munoz, 233 F.3d 1117, 1130 (9th Cir.2000), and we review the formulation of the jury instructions for abuse of discretion. United States v. Hicks, 217 F.3d 1038, 1045 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 531 U.S. 1037 , 121 S.Ct. 627 , 148 L.Ed.2d 536 (2000).

Here, the court’s charge incorporated the crux of Sharafs proffered instruction, including the various scienter elements that the government needed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt to secure a conviction under § 1344. It also defined several key terms, including “knowingly” and “intent to defraud.” Consequently, the district court’s ruling was not in error.

Sharaf also argues that the district court erred under Federal…