United States v. Sokolow

Opinions of the United
1996 Decisions States Court of Appeals
for the Third Circuit

4-18-1996

United States v. Sokolow
Precedential or Non-Precedential:

Docket 95-1292,95-1367

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 UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE THIRD CIRCUIT

___________

Nos. 95-1292/1367
___________

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

vs.

CRAIG B. SOKOLOW,

Appellant

___________

Appeal from the United States District Court
for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
(D.C. Crim. No. 93-cr-00394)
___________

Argued
January 22, 1996
BEFORE: MANSMANN and SCIRICA, Circuit Judges,
0
and RESTANI, Judge, Court of International Trade.

(Filed April 18, 1996)
___________

John Rogers Carroll
Johanna E. Markind
Carroll & Carroll
400 Market Street, Suite 850
Philadelphia, PA 19106

Peter Goldberger (Argued)
Anna M. Durbin
Pamela A. Wilk
50 Rittenhouse Place
Ardmore, PA 19003-2276

COUNSEL FOR APPELLANT

Michael R. Stiles
United States Attorney
Walter S. Batty, Jr.

0 * Honorable Jane A. Restani, Judge, United States Court of
International Trade, sitting by designation.

1
Chief of Appeals
Joseph T. LaBrum, III (Argued)
Maryanne Donaghy
Sarah L. Grieb
Assistant United States Attorneys
615 Chestnut Street, Suite 1250
Philadelphia, PA 19106-4476

COUNSEL FOR APPELLEE

___________

OPINION OF THE COURT
___________

RESTANI, Judge.
Defendant Craig B. Sokolow ("Sokolow") appeals from his

conviction in the United States District Court for the Eastern

District of Pennsylvania following a two month jury trial. On

March 18, 1994, Sokolow was convicted of 107 counts of mail fraud

in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1341 (1988), 17 counts of money

laundering in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1957 (1988), and one count

of criminal forfeiture in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 982 (1988).

Following several sentencing hearings, the district judge

sentenced Sokolow to 92 months in prison, to be followed by three

years supervised release, and ordered a $50,000 fine, $6200 in

special assessments, $690,246.34 in restitution, and the

forfeiture of $2.1 million. On appeal, defendant challenges both

his conviction and sentencing. For the reasons stated herein, we

will affirm the conviction, sentencing, and the order of

forfeiture, but remand for reconsideration of the restitution

order.

I. BACKGROUND

2
 The events leading to Sokolow's indictment and subsequent

conviction occurred between May 1, 1987 and July 23, 1990.

Sokolow, an attorney and licensed insurance agent, offered health

benefits plans to the public in Pennsylvania and several other

states through a series of corporations that he established and

controlled, but primarily through the National Independent

Business Association, Inc. ("NIBA").0 The plans were marketed to

small business employers, their employees, and their families.

Association Insurance Marketing, Inc. ("AIM"), a corporation

established and controlled by Sokolow, served as the primary

marketing arm of NIBA. Through AIM, Sokolow received commissions

on all premiums received for the sale of NIBA policies.

Prior to May 1987, NIBA members were fully insured by NIBA's

group insurance contract with World Life and Health Insurance

Company ("World Company"). On May 1, 1987, Sokolow replaced

World Life with Independence Blue Cross and Pennsylvania Blue

Shield to administer and process NIBA's health care claims.

Sokolow purchased stop-loss coverage from Blue Cross, whereby

NIBA assumed responsibility for the payment of NIBA members'

medical care claims up to the first $25,000. Blue Cross would

pay any remaining claims in excess of $25,000. The indictment

charged that Sokolow falsely represented to the public that NIBA

0
In 1984, Sokolow began offering his health benefits plan
through the Pennsylvania Independent Business Association, Inc.
("PIBA"). NIBA was established as a successor to PIBA in 1987.
In 1988, NIBA was succeeded by the American Independent Business
Alliance, Inc. ("AIBA"), the association existing until the time
of liquidation on February 15, 1990. For convenience, "NIBA"
will be used throughout the opinion to refer to the various
corporations.

3
was fully-insured by Blue Cross, when, in fact, it was a self-

funded plan, thus defrauding members of their premiums. In

addition, Sokolow allegedly used the Blue Cross logo on marketing

and billing materials, in violation of NIBA's agreement with Blue

Cross, to foster the impression that NIBA was the equivalent of a

Blue Cross fully-insured health benefits plan.

On June 30, 1988, Blue Cross terminated its service plan

with NIBA when Sokolow failed to pay approximately $2 million in

claims for which Blue Cross sought reimbursement. Sokolow then

contracted with another company for higher stop-loss coverage

that required NIBA to pay the first $50,000 of a member's medical

care claims. The indictment alleged that Sokolow again

misrepresented that NIBA was fully insured by the new coverage,

when, in fact, it was self-funded.

After receiving complaints concerning NIBA's claims

administration in late 1988, the Pennsylvania Insurance

Department (the "Department") began to investigate NIBA's

operations. The Department determined that Sokolow had been

operating NIBA as an illegal, unlicensed insurer in Pennsylvania.

Sokolow objected to the Department's inquiries on the basis that

NIBA was a Multi-Employer Welfare Arrangement ("MEWA") that could

file a benefits plan under ERISA and, thus, was not subject to

state regulation.0 The Department disagreed with Sokolow's

0
Although Sokolow represented to the Department that he could
have filed the NIBA plan under ERISA, the evidence at trial
indicated that Sokolow represented to Virginia and Maryland
insurance regulators that the NIBA health plan was, in fact,
filed as an ERISA plan with the United States Department of
Labor, and, thus, not subject to state regulation. Trial

4
contentions and, on May 2, 1989, suspended NIBA's operations. On

August 31, 1989, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania ruled

that NIBA did not constitute a valid MEWA plan, but was a

commercial enterprise "marketing insurance, without the benefit

of a licensed company status, while purporting to be a valid

ERISA plan, such that state licensing would not be necessary."0

Appellant's App. [hereinafter "App."] at 1193. Consequently,

NIBA was ordered liquidated by the commonwealth court on February

15, 1990.

Sokolow collected more than $34 million in premiums from

NIBA plan members who were allegedly defrauded by Sokolow during

the period covered by the indictment. The indictment alleged

that Sokolow converted approximately $4 million of the premiums

for his personal benefit. He received $2,239,575.67 in

commissions through AIM and two other related insurance

companies0 ($1,837,152.30 of those commissions went to AIM) and

$1,806,259.23 in salary, officer's loans, and other

disbursements. These monies were deposited into AIM and NIBA

accounts. The indictment alleged that Sokolow laundered these

testimony established, however, that Sokolow never filed the NIBA
plan with ERISA for the years 1987 through 1990.
0
For purposes of determining insurance agents' liability, a
later en banc ruling of the commonwealth court found that NIBA
was a MEWA and not an insurance entity operating under
Pennsylvania state law. Pennsylvania Ass'n of Life Underwriters
v. Foster, 645 A.2d 907, 911-12 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 1994) (en banc),
aff'd without op., 668 A.2d 1113 (Pa. 1995) (per curiam).
0
The related companies were Sokolow & McMillan, and Sokolow,
McMillan & O'Leary, two "in-house" insurance agencies of which
Sokolow was a partner, and which sold NIBA health benefits plans.

5
funds through a number of bank and brokerage accounts, as well as

real property and mortgages.

The jury trial commenced on January 10, 1994, and concluded

on March 18, 1994, with the return of guilty verdicts on all

counts considered by the jury. Sentencing proceedings were held

on January 6 and 11, and February 6, 1995, during which

sentencing issues were argued, and evidence of forfeiture, loss

calculations, and restitution was presented. On March 14, 1995,

the district court filed three separate Memorandum Opinions and

Orders, inter alia, determining the Sentencing Guidelines

calculations, and ordering the restitution and forfeiture

obligation. Following entry of judgment, Sokolow filed this

timely appeal challenging both his conviction and sentence.

II. CHALLENGES TO THE CONVICTION

A. Evidentiary Challenges

Sokolow challenges three evidentiary rulings made by the

district court. Sokolow claims that the district court (1) erred

in admitting into evidence Government Exhibit B-110 ("Gov't Ex.

B-110"), a summary of unpaid insurance claims of NIBA members;

(2) improperly allowed evidence of NIBA's alleged operation as an

unlicensed insurance company; and (3) abused its discretion in

admitting irrelevant and highly prejudicial victim impact

testimony. To the extent the district court's admission of

evidence was based on an interpretation of the Federal Rules of

Evidence, our standard of review is plenary. See United States

v. Furst, 886 F.2d 558, 571 (3d Cir. 1989), cert denied, 493 U.S.

6
1062 (1990). Our review of a district court's ruling to admit or

exclude evidence, if premised on a permissible view of the law,

however, is only for an abuse of discretion. See id.; see also

United States v. Versaint, 849 F.2d 827, 831 (3d Cir. 1988). We

will address each of Sokolow's evidentiary challenges in turn.

1. Government Exhibit B-110

Sokolow contends that Gov't Ex. B-110 is inadmissible

hearsay. Gov't Ex. B-110 is a compilation and summary of over $7

million in unpaid insurance claims of NIBA members. The document

was prepared for the Department in July 1992 by Inservco, a

third-party administrator hired to adjust the unpaid claims after

the commonwealth court ordered the liquidation of NIBA.

Originally, NIBA members' claims were documented in the course of

regularly conducted business by NIBA's third party administrators

-- National Benefits Corp., Insurance Benefits Services ("IBS"),

and Independent Insurance Administrators ("IIA"). The companies

processed NIBA claims and kept records on behalf of NIBA, which

Sokolow later authorized to be turned over to the Department's

Statutory Liquidator in connection with NIBA's liquidation. As

custodian of the NIBA plan records, the Statutory Liquidator made

the records available to Inservco for the adjustment of unpaid

claims.

Over Sokolow's objection, the district court admitted the

exhibit as an admission by Sokolow, under Federal Rule of

Evidence 801(d)(2)(C).0 The district court reasoned:

0
Rule 801(d)(2)(C) provides that

7
 Inservco summarized information held by the Statutory
Liquidator, who in turn obtained the information from
another administrator hired by Sokolow. Each entity
that held the information had the express authorization
of [Sokolow]. As such, Exhibit B-110 is a party
admission . . . .

United States v. Sokolow, No. 93-394-01, 1994 WL 613640, at *5
(E.D. Pa. Nov. 1, 1994). We disagree with the district court's

reasoning.

Rule 801(d)(2)(C) specifically excludes from the definition

of hearsay any statements used against a party which were made by

another person authorized by the party to make a statement

concerning the subject. Fed. R. Evid. 801(d)(2)(C); Lightning

Lube, Inc. v. Witco Corp., 4 F.3d 1153, 1198 (3d Cir. 1993). We

find, and the government admits, that Inservco's adjustments to

the NIBA members' claims were not "done with Sokolow's consent or

at his direction," and, thus, are not admissions by Sokolow. See

Appellee's Br. at 23. The government continues to assert,

however, that the collection of these claims by NIBA's third-

party administrators constitutes an admission by Sokolow, and

are, thus, not hearsay. This argument is untenable. Rule

801(d)(2)(C) requires that the declarant be an agent of the

party-opponent against whom the admission is offered. Kirk v.
Raymark Indus., Inc., 61 F.3d 147, 164 (3d Cir. 1995), cert.

denied, 116 S.Ct. 1015 (1996). We find that neither the

underlying claims submitted by NIBA insurance beneficiaries to

[a] statement is not hearsay if . . . [t]he statement
is offered against a party and is . . . a statement by
a person authorized by the party to make a statement
concerning the subject.

Fed. R. Evid. 801(d)(2)(C).

8
NIBA's third-party administrators nor Sokolow's subsequent

release of these records to the Department constitutes an

admission by Sokolow. Thus, Gov't Ex. B-110 is hearsay because

the entries of NIBA members' claims, whether or not adjusted by

Inservco, were written out-of-court statements offered to prove

not merely the existence but the genuineness of the claims, and

ultimately, the underfunding of Sokolow's enterprise.

We now turn to whether Gov't Ex. B-110 falls within one of

the exceptions to the hearsay exclusion. The government argues

that Gov't Ex. B-110 is admissible under the business records

exception to the hearsay rule.0 This exception allows the

admission of hearsay documents provided a foundation is laid by

"the custodian or other qualified witness" that:
(1) [t]he declarant in the records had personal
knowledge to make accurate statements; (2) the
declarant recorded the statements contemporaneously
with the actions that were the subject of the reports;
(3) the declarant made the record in the regular course
of the business activity; and (4) such records were
regularly kept by the business.

0
Pursuant to Rule 803(6), the following are not excluded by the
hearsay rule even though the declarant is available as a witness:

Records of regularly conducted activity. A memorandum,
report, record, or data compilation, in any form, of acts,
events, conditions, opinions, or diagnoses, made at or near
the time by, or from information transmitted by, a person
with knowledge, if kept in the course of a regularly
conducted business activity, and if it was the regular
practice of that business activity to make the memorandum,
report, record, or data compilation, all as shown by the
testimony of the custodian or other qualified witness,
unless the source of information or the method or
circumstances of preparation indicate lack of
trustworthiness.

Fed. R. Evid. 803(6).

9
United States v. Pelullo, 964 F.2d 193, 200 (3d Cir. 1992).

We find that Gov't Ex. B-110 is admissible under the

business records exception. Contrary to Sokolow's contentions,

the NIBA members' claims were collected in the course of

regularly conducted business of NIBA's original claims

administrators. IIA initially received NIBA plan member

information from IBS, a prior third party administrator, with

Sokolow's consent and authorization. Pursuant to the liquidation

order, Sokolow specifically authorized the IIA to "release any

and all data base information as required concerning [NIBA] on

the in-house history tapes and claims system to the

[Department]." App. at 826. Joseph DiMemmo testified that as

the representative of the Statutory Liquidator, he took custody

of all NIBA records. We find that a clear chain of custody and

foundation for this data, upon which Inservco based its claims

adjustment, was established.

As to the claim adjustments made by Inservco, and summarized

in Gov't Ex. B-110, we find that this data also falls within the

business records exception. As a third party administrator,

Inservco contracted with the Department to administer NIBA health

insurance claims. The claims adjustments made by Inservco were

the same type of adjustments NIBA's third party administrators

would have had to make if NIBA had stayed in business. Margaret

Lee attested to the authenticity of Gov't Ex. B-110 and laid the

foundation for its admission. Lee testified that Gov't Ex. B-110

was derived from Inservco's claims processing system and that

these records were made and kept in Inservco's regular course of

10
business. In sum, we find that the government properly

established the admissibility of Gov't Ex. B-110 under the

business records exception to the hearsay rule.

Defendant asserts, however, that the methods and

circumstances under which Inservco prepared the summary of claims

were untrustworthy and unreliable. Sokolow argues that many

claims were not checked for pre-existing conditions, double

submissions, or the timeliness of the claims. We disagree.

Inservco adjusted the claims according to NIBA policy guidelines,

and these adjustments were subject to committee review and

oversight by the Department. Final approval of the claim

adjustments was made by the Department. Although the adjustments

made by Inservco did not take into account the timeliness of

claims, trial testimony indicated that this information could not

be determined from the submissions made to the Department.

Further, Sokolow offers no specific evidence that the claims were

not properly inspected by Inservco. Much of the evidence

indicates the contrary. In any event, such questions go to the

weight to be given to Gov't Ex. B-110, and not its admissibility.

Finally, Sokolow claims that Gov't Ex. B-110 is a public

report under Federal Rule of Evidence 803(8)(C),0 and, thus,

0
Rule 803(8)(C) excepts from the hearsay rule, even though the
declarant is available as a witness:

Public records and reports. Records, reports,
statements, or data compilations, in any form, of
public offices or agencies, setting forth, . . . in
civil actions and proceedings and against the
Government in criminal cases, factual findings
resulting from an investigation made pursuant to
authority granted by law, unless the sources of

11
should be excluded under the rationale set forth in United States

v. Oates, 560 F.2d 45 (2d Cir. 1977). There the court held that,

"police and evaluative reports not satisfying the standards of

[Federal Rules of Evidence] 803(8)(B) and (C) may not qualify for

admission under [Rule] 803(6) or any of the other exceptions to

the hearsay rule." Id. at 77. Generally, a public report

consisting of "factual findings resulting from an investigation

made pursuant to authority granted by law," is not admissible

against a criminal defendant under Rule 803(8)(C). We agree with

Sokolow that Gov't Ex. B-110 contains some indicia of a public

report under Rule 803(8)(C). In processing NIBA members' claims,

Inservco was performing a fact-finding function and acting

essentially as the agent of the Department, which was required to

liquidate NIBA pursuant to state law. We disagree, however, with

Sokolow's contention that the findings made by the Department,

i.e. Inservco's adjustments, were inadmissible under the Oates

rule.

Criticizing Oates as an unduly broad interpretation of Rule

803(8), many courts have declined to import the limitations of

Rule 803(8)(B)0 and (C) into other hearsay exceptions. See,

information or other circumstances indicate lack of
trustworthiness.

Fed. R. Evid. 803(8)(C).
0
Rule 803(8)(B) excepts from the hearsay rule, even though the
declarant is available as a witness:

Public records and reports. Records, reports,
statements, or data compilations, in any form, of
public offices or agencies, setting forth, . . .
matters observed pursuant to duty imposed by law as to
which matters there was a duty to report, excluding,

12
e.g., United States v. Picciandra, 788 F.2d 39, 44 (1st Cir.)

(upholding admission of DEA report against criminal defendants

under Rule 803(5) (past recollection recorded)), cert. denied,

479 U.S. 847 (1986); United States v. Metzger, 778 F.2d 1195,

1201 (6th Cir. 1985) (declining to read Rule 803(8)(C)

limitations into Rule 803(10) (absence of public record or

entry)), cert. denied, 477 U.S. 906 (1986). Although we have not

specifically addressed this issue,0 the Seventh and Tenth

Circuits have held that Rule 803(8)(C) does not compel the

exclusion of documents properly admitted under Rule 803(6) where

the author testifies. See United States v. Hayes, 861 F.2d 1225,

1230 (10th Cir. 1988); United States v. King, 613 F.2d 670, 672-

73 (7th Cir. 1980). The Hayes court stated that the Oates rule

does not apply in such circumstances "because such [investigator]

testimony protects against the loss of an accused's confrontation

rights, the underlying rationale for Rule 803(8) and the basis of

the court's concern in Oates." 861 F.2d at 1230 (citation

omitted). We reach the same conclusion here.

however, in criminal cases matters observed by police
officers and other law enforcement personnel.

Fed. R. Evid. 803(8)(B).
0
In United States v. Wright-Barker, 784 F.2d 161, 173 (3d Cir.
1986), we declined to address the applicability of the Oates rule
to the admission of a Coast Guard report against criminal
defendants under Rule 803(6), the business records exception.
Even assuming inadmissibility, we found any error to be harmless.
Id. We also noted the many exceptions to the Oates rule, such as
the admission of law enforcement reports under Rule 803(6) where
the author is available to testify at trial. Id. at 173 n.12. We
declined, however, to decide the appropriateness or applicability
of such exceptions. Id.

13
 Here, Margaret Lee, the Inservco employee who supervised the

claims adjustments, testified and was cross-examined at some

length. Lee personally audited part or all of each submitted

claim and stated that Gov't Ex. B-110 represented the results of

Inservco's processing of the NIBA members' claims. We find that

the circumstances surrounding the preparation of Gov't Ex. B-110

were probed and there was no loss of confrontation rights. Thus,

Gov't Ex. B-110 was properly admissible under the business

records exception of Rule 803(6), and we will affirm on that

basis.
2. Evidence of NIBA's Non-Licensure

At trial, the district court permitted the reading into

evidence of portions of a ruling made by the Commonwealth Court

of Pennsylvania upholding the NIBA suspension order entered by

the Department.0 Denying Sokolow's motion to strike, the

0
Relevant excerpts read as follows:

The activities conducted by [NIBA] clearly indicate to
the Court as a matter of fact and law that [NIBA's]
business operation clearly was not a valid ERISA
employment benefit plan.

. . . .

The Court finds that NIBA was a means by which its
principal[,] Craig Sokolow[,] was marketing insurance
without the benefit of licensed company status while
purporting to be a valid ERISA plan, such that state
licensing would not be necessary.

. . . .

Since [NIBA] conducted business in Pennsylvania as an
insurer without a license, it was appropriate for the
Commissioner to intervene and take the drastic action
of suspension.

14
district court ruled that "the probative value [of the opinion]

outweigh[ed] the prejudicial value." App. at 608. In addition,

various testimony regarding the non-licensure of NIBA was

permitted to be addressed.

Sokolow asserts that the district court erred in admitting

this evidence. He argues that (1) the allegations of violations

of state law were confusing and unduly prejudicial, (2) NIBA's

alleged non-licensure was not an element of the mail fraud scheme

alleged in the indictment, (3) prejudicial effect is highlighted

by the fact that the deliberating jury requested Judge Colins's

opinion, and (4) the groundlessness of Judge Colins's opinion is

supported by an en banc decision in a related case by the

commonwealth court, which found NIBA was a MEWA and not an

insurance entity under state law. See supra note 3.

We find that the district court did not abuse its discretion

in admitting this evidence. Under Federal Rule of Evidence 403,

"[relevant] evidence may be excluded if its probative value is

substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice,

confusion of the issues, or misleading the jury." Fed. R. Evid.

403. According to the government, the evidence of non-licensure

and the reading of Judge Colins's opinion was for the purpose of

providing background information regarding the suspension and

liquidation of NIBA. The non-licensure of NIBA was a factual

allegation in the indictment which would demonstrate the nature

App. at 560-61, 1193 [hereinafter "Judge Colins's opinion"].

15
of the fraud scheme and show the factual predicate for NIBA's

suspension and liquidation.

Sokolow asserts that the evidence of non-licensure was

unduly prejudicial and confusing, as evidenced by the jury's

request for Judge Colins's opinion. We disagree. In responding

to the jury's request, the district judge submitted the following

instruction, agreed to by the parties, rather than the requested

opinion:0
[Judge Colins's opinion] was referred to in the
evidence to give a historical background of the
proceedings. The opinion of Judge Collins [sic] is
just that, an opinion. Judge Collins [sic] was not a
witness to the facts. You have seen and heard the
witnesses. You must make your decision on the basis of
the witnesses['] testimony, exhibits relating to facts
and the stipulations of counsel - pursuant to my
instructions on the law.

App. at 1203. We find that any prejudicial effect was remedied

by this instruction. Additionally, as indicated, Judge Colins's

ruling formed the basis for the liquidation of NIBA, and although

non-licensure was not an element of the mail fraud or money

laundering charges, it was a necessary factual predicate to the

mail fraud scheme. Sokolow claimed to have created a valid

health benefits plan filed with the Department of Labor and

operating under ERISA, when in fact, no such filing was ever

made. Accordingly, we find the district court did not abuse its

discretion in admitting evidence of NIBA's non-licensure.0

0
Sokolow's counsel, although agreeing to the instruction,
continued his objection to the admissibility of Judge Colins's
opinion.
0
Sokolow also contends that the district court's ruling on this
issue amounted to collateral estoppel against him. See United
States v. Pelullo, 14 F.3d 881, 897 (3d Cir. 1994)

16
 3. Victim Impact Testimony

Sokolow asserts that the district court abused its

discretion in permitting highly prejudicial victim impact

testimony to be admitted at trial. The district court allowed 20

NIBA members to testify that they were denied payment of their

claims. Some witnesses were also permitted to testify as to

collateral losses that they suffered. One witness, Kenneth

Harris, who was injured in an auto race, was permitted to testify

as to $238,111.46 in unpaid claims, and to his long

hospitalization and prolonged rehabilitation. Additionally, he

was permitted to testify as to problems with collection agencies.

A year after the jury's verdict, the district court found that

Harris's claims were "caused by non-covered activity," and, thus,

he was not entitled to restitution. Sokolow also points to the

testimony of Frank Yeager, who became a quadriplegic as a result

of a gunshot wound. Sokolow asserts that collateral testimony as

to this witness's injury, and repeated reference to the injury by

government counsel in closing arguments, were unduly prejudicial.

In general, to satisfy the elements for mail fraud, "[p]roof

of actual loss by the intended victim is not necessary." United

States v. Copple, 24 F.3d 535, 544 (3d Cir.), cert. denied, 115

(holding that defendant's prior conviction by jury for wire fraud
could not be used as collateral estoppel to establish predicate
act for violation of RICO in trial before second jury). Sokolow's
claim is unavailing. The district court denied the government's
motion in limine to preclude re-litigation of whether NIBA was an
unlicensed insurer or qualified as a MEWA under ERISA. Further,
as indicated, NIBA's non-licensure was a factual allegation in
the mail fraud scheme charged in the indictment. The government
established at trial that NIBA was neither properly filed with
the Department of Labor, nor operating under ERISA, as Sokolow
had falsely represented to various state insurance regulators.

17
S.Ct. 488 (1994). Evidence of loss, however, may be treated as

evidence of the schemer's intent to defraud. See id. at 545. In

Copple, we found that extensive victim impact testimony as to

collateral losses "went beyond anything that was reasonable to

prove [defendant's] specific intent to defraud." Id. In that

case, some of the objectionable collateral impact testimony

included testimony that money used to pay back losses came from

savings for children's college educations, that paying back the

money had affected the witnesses' health, caused weight loss, and

required depletion of all personal savings. Id. at 545-46.

Accordingly, the court found that the district court erred in

allowing the testimony as the "[t]estimony was designed to

generate feelings of sympathy for the victims and outrage toward

[defendant] for reasons not relevant to the charges [defendant]

faced." Id. at 546.

In the case before us, the victims testified to a careful

account of the dollar value of the loss suffered as a result of

the fraud. Many of the victims also provided significant

embellishment concerning adverse personal consequences, similar

to the victims in Copple.0 By asking every victim who testified

whether he or she suffered any adverse consequences from the

0
For example, Suzanne Plattner testified that she had been
hassled by collection agencies, suffered from depression, and was
completely tormented; David Ahakinian testified that "his life
had been destroyed," that he was a "nervous wreck," and that he
had attorney's bills to pay because his claim was denied. He
further testified that Sokolow had "created a monster company."
In addition, it appears that the claims of David Ahakinian and
Kenneth Harris were properly denied coverage, yet the district
court allowed into evidence their testimony regarding economic
loss as well as adverse consequences.

18
unpaid claims, the government was attempting to highlight the

personal tragedies of the victims.

Such testimony has little, if any, probative value and may

be unfairly prejudicial. While normally the balancing under

Federal Rule of Evidence 403 is done by the district court, for

purposes of this discussion, we can assume, arguendo, that the

testimony was in fact prejudicial because we believe that its

admission was harmless.0 "Trial error is harmless if it is

highly probable that the error did not affect the judgment." Id.

(citing United States v. Simon, 995 F.2d 1236, 1244 (3d Cir.

1993)). We stated in Simon that a high probability exists where

the court has a "'sure conviction that the error did not

prejudice the defendant.'" 995 F.2d at 1244 (quoting United

States v. Asher, 854 F.2d 1483, 1500 (3d Cir. 1988) (citation

omitted), cert. denied, 488 U.S. 1029 (1989)). In making this

determination, we are not required to "disprov[e] every

'reasonable possibility of prejudice.'" Id. (citations omitted).

Here the error of admitting the adverse consequences

testimony was harmless because, as in Copple, 24 F.3d at 526-47,

the evidence of the scheme to defraud and of Sokolow's specific

intent was overwhelming. As we have set forth above, the record

is replete with proof of Sokolow's intentional misrepresentations

to small business employers and employees and concealment of

material facts which induced them to purchase what they believed

0
Except for the testimony of Kenneth Harris, Judge Scirica does
not believe the other victims' testimony was prejudicial. In any
event, the errors, if any, were harmless.

19
to be fully insured health care coverage. Substantial evidence

of the actual scheme to defraud was also presented at trial.

Eighteen of the twenty victim-witnesses who testified were

improperly denied coverage even though they paid premiums for

what they believed to be a fully insured health care plan.

Sokolow was forced to deny claims to make up for a shortage in

the claims reserve fund, since he diverted a large portion of the

collected premiums to his personal bank accounts. Thus, it is

"highly probable" that Sokolow would have been convicted of mail

fraud even without adverse consequences testimony. Any error,

therefore, was harmless.

B. Defendant's Challenges to Jury Instructions
1. Scienter Element for Violation of Money Laundering
Under 18 U.S.C. § 1957

Sokolow asserts that the district court improperly

instructed the jury on the scienter element of 18 U.S.C. §1957.0

0
The district court's instructions to the jury regarding the
money laundering offense, read as follows:

[T]here are five elements in money laundering:

1. The Government must prove beyond a reasonable
doubt the defendant knowingly engaged or attempted
to engage in a monetary transaction.
2. The defendant knew the transaction involved in
this case, I am going to use the word money,
monies that were criminally received.
3. The criminally derived property must have a value
in excess of $10,000.
4. The criminally derived property must have been in
fact derived from a specified unlawful activity.
That's the money laundering counts.
5. The money transaction must have taken place in the
United States of America.

App. at 944-45.

20
That section makes it unlawful for a person to " knowingly

engage[] or attempt[] to engage in a monetary transaction in

criminally derived property of a value greater than $10,000 and

is derived from specified unlawful activity." Id. The elements

necessary to prove a violation of § 1957 are that

(1) the defendant engage or attempt to engage (2) in a
monetary transaction (3) in criminally derived property
that is of a value greater than $10,000 (4) knowing
that the property is derived from unlawful activity,
and (5) the property is, in fact, derived from
'specified unlawful activity.'

United States v. Johnson, 971 F.2d 562, 567 n.3 (10th Cir. 1992).

Defendant contends that the knowledge requirement of § 1957

requires "proof that Sokolow knew his conduct was prohibited by

law." As Sokolow never objected to the instructions at issue,

the court's review is limited to plain error, that is, the error

must be "plain" and "affect[] substantial rights." See United

States v. Retos, 25 F.3d 1220, 1228-29 (3d Cir. 1994) (quoting

United States v. Olano, 113 S.Ct. 1770, 1777 (1993); see also

Fed. R. Crim. P. 52(b) ("Plain errors or defects affecting

substantial rights may be noticed although they were not brought

to the attention of the court.").

In support of his argument, Sokolow relies primarily upon

the Supreme Court decision in Ratzlaf v. United States, 114 S.Ct.
655 (1994). In Ratzlaf, the defendant was charged with violating

31 U.S.C. § 5324, which makes it unlawful for a person to

"structure" numerous transactions with several banks to evade the

banks' obligation to report cash transactions exceeding $10,000.

21
See id. at 658. Section 5322(a), Title 31, United States Code,

imposes criminal penalties for a "person willfully violating" the

antistructuring provision. At issue was the trial court's

instruction that the government did not have to prove the

defendant knew the "structuring" in which he engaged was

unlawful, but only that the defendant knew of the reporting

obligation and attempted to evade that obligation. In reversing

the court of appeals, which upheld the conviction, the Supreme

Court held that in order to give effect to § 5322(a)'s

"willfulness" requirement, the government must prove that the

defendant knew the structuring in which he was engaged was

unlawful. 114 S.Ct. at 663. The Court was unpersuaded by

arguments that the offense of structuring is "so obviously 'evil'

or inherently 'bad' that the 'willfulness' requirement [of § 5324

is] satisfied irrespective of the defendant's knowledge of the

illegality of structuring." Id. at 662.

Sokolow claims that the offense of money laundering is

analogous to the offense at issue in Ratzlaf. He argues that

engaging in monetary transactions, such as bank depositing, with

known criminal proceeds is not conduct that is "obviously evil or

inherently bad." Sokolow contends the jury must find that he

knew his spending and regular bank transactions were prohibited

by law.

Absent a "willfulness" requirement, however, we will not

require proof of knowledge of illegality to sustain a conviction

under the money laundering provision of 18 U.S.C. § 1957. In

United States v. Zehrbach, 47 F.3d 1252, 1261 (3d Cir.), cert.

22
denied, 115 S.Ct. 1699 (1995), in discussing the proof necessary

for bankruptcy fraud, we stated that "[t]he statutory requirement

that the underlying acts be performed 'knowingly' requires only

that the act be voluntary and intentional and not that a person

knows that he is breaking the law." In Zehrbach, we

distinguished Ratzlaf on the basis of the "willfulness" element

required under the structuring offense. Id.; see also United

States v. Hilliard, 31 F.3d 1509, 1518 (10th Cir. 1994) (Ratzlaf

proof of knowledge of illegality requirement not applicable to,

inter alia, § 1957 money laundering provision); United States v.

Santos, 20 F.3d 280, 284 n.3 (7th Cir. 1994) (Ratzlaf not

applicable to § 1956 money laundering provision because of

absence of willfulness requirement). Similarly, as § 1957 does

not contain a willfulness requirement, we decline to adopt

Ratzlaf for the money laundering provision at issue in this case.

Moreover, Sokolow's citation to our decision in United

States v. Curran, 20 F.3d 560 (3d Cir. 1994), is distinguishable.

In Curran, we followed Ratzlaf in construing the "willfulness"

component of 18 U.S.C. § 2(b), which makes it unlawful to

deliberately cause another person to perform an act that would

violate federal criminal law. 20 F.3d at 566-68. In that case,

defendant was charged with causing election campaign treasurers

to submit false reports to the Federal Election Commission in

violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 2(b) and 1001, the false statement

statute. Id. at 562. Thus, unlike the money laundering statute

involved here, "willfulness" was an element of the crime at issue

in Curran. See id. at 567-68. In sum, we find the district

23
court properly instructed the jury on the scienter element of

Sokolow's money laundering violation.
2. Criminally Derived Property Element of § 1957

Sokolow asserts that the district court committed plain

error in the jury instruction as to the element of § 1957 that

requires the criminally derived property in a monetary

transaction to have a value in excess of $10,000. Specifically,

Sokolow asserts that in the court's explanation of "tracing"

criminal proceeds, the district court erred in stating the

following:
[T]he Government need not prove that there [sic] $20,000
came from this sale over here, because as I understand it,
the Government's theory is these different sums -- they have
to initially prove they came from NIBA. It has to prove
that it came from NIBA, initially, but not what NIBA
account.

So the matter goes from $20,000 from NIBA to Sokolow &
Associates and then Sokolow & Associates spends the money or
spends a similar sum of money some places. They don't have
to prove it's the same $20,000 that went from Sokolow's
[account] to Sokolow & Associates. The Government need not
prove that all the property involved in the transaction was
the proceeds of the money laundering. It is sufficient if
the Government proves at least part of the property
represents such proceeds.

App. at 945 (emphasis on alleged error). Sokolow alleges that

the instruction "allowed the jury to convict simply on a showing

that even $1 of the proceeds of fraud were deposited into a

Sokolow account and later used to pay, in part, for the items

charged [in the counts] of the indictment." We find this

contention is without merit.

It is clear from the full context of the district judge's

explanation of the concept of proceeds that he is addressing the

absence of a legal requirement that the government trace the

24
funds constituting criminal proceeds when they are commingled

with funds obtained from legitimate sources. See United States

v. Johnson, 971 F.2d at 570 (noting that there is no requirement

that government "show that funds withdrawn from the defendant's

account could not possibly have come from any source other than

the unlawful activity."). We find no error in the district

court's jury instructions in this regard.
3. Sokolow's Responsibility for Actions of His Agents

Sokolow alleges error in the district court's jury

instructions as to Sokolow's responsibility for actions of his

agents, particularly as it relates to "insurance agents' improper

use of the Blue Cross logo on advertisements as part of the fraud

scheme." The instruction read as follows:
In order to sustain the burden of proof in this
matter, it is not necessary in either of these counts
to prove -- these types of crimes -- to prove that the
defendant did everything, every act. A person can act
through his agent, and therefore, if the acts or
conduct of another were ordered by the defendant or
directed by the defendant or authorized by the
defendant, the law holds the defendant responsible for
the acts, just as if he had personally done them. That
includes both human beings and corporate agents.

App. at 945. According to Sokolow, the jury instruction is

erroneous in that
the jury could have found Sokolow guilty of mail fraud
if he authorized employees to prepare marketing
materials for his plan, and those employees on their
own misrepresented the extent of Blue Cross
underwriting in such materials. No proof that Sokolow
directed the misrepresentations with an intent to
defraud was demanded.

Appellant's Br. at 26. Sokolow quotes the court in Curran, 20
F.3d at 567, which stated that, "Section 2(b) [of Title 18,

United States Code] imposes criminal liability on those persons

25
who possess the mens rea to commit an offense and cause others to

violate a criminal statute."

As defendant did not object to the jury instruction, we

review the district court's failure to provide a specific

instruction for plain error only. See United States v. Xavier, 2

F.3d 1281, 1287 (3d Cir. 1993). Reading the jury instructions in

context, the district judge clearly explains the scienter

requirements to convict Sokolow of both the mail fraud and money

laundering offenses. See App. at 941 ("[T]he defendant, Mr.

Sokolow, is charged with knowingly and unlawfully devising and

intend[ing] to defraud the members of [NIBA] . . . and that he

knowingly caused the United States [mails] to be used to execute

these schemes or this scheme."); App. at 944 ("[T]he Government

must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that there was -- that not

only was there a fraudulent activity, but the defendant had a

conscious intent to defraud. . . . [T]he defendant himself did

not have to mail anything. He may or he can order someone to do

it."); App. at 945 ("The Government must prove that the

26
defendant knew that property involved in the money transaction

constituted or was derived, either directly or indirectly from a

criminal offense . . . . [H]e has to know he received this money

through fraudulent means. He has to be conscious of that."). The

jury was instructed properly that intent to defraud was required.

Thus, we find no plain error in the district court's instruction

and we affirm Sokolow's conviction.
III. CHALLENGES TO SENTENCING

A. Calculation Under the Sentencing Guidelines
In determining the sentencing guideline range, the district
court grouped together Sokolow's mail fraud and money laundering
counts pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 3D1.2(c)0. The higher offense
level for the two groups, the money laundering offense, was used
for computing the sentence. Sokolow does not contest the
grouping of the counts.

1. The "value of funds"
Sokolow asserts that the district court incorrectly applied

the Sentencing Guidelines to determine the "value of funds"

involved in the money laundering offense. The "value of funds"

involved in a money laundering offense is a specific offense

characteristic. U.S.S.G. § 2S1.2(b). Under § 1B1.3, specific

offense characteristics are determined by "relevant conduct,"

defined, inter alia, as

0
All references to the United States Sentencing Guidelines
Manual are to the 1988 version, as used in the presentence
investigation report ("PSR") and apparently adopted by the
district court, unless otherwise noted. See Appellant's Br.,
Addendum D at 2 n.2.

27
 (1) all acts and omissions committed or aided and
abetted by the defendant, or for which the
defendant would be otherwise accountable, that
occurred during the commission of the offense of
conviction, in preparation for that offense, or in
the course of attempting to avoid detection or
responsibility for that offense, or that otherwise
were in furtherance of that offense;

(2) solely with respect to offenses of a character for
which §3D1.2(d) would require grouping of multiple
counts, all such acts and omissions that were part
of the same course of conduct or common scheme or
plan as the offense of conviction.

U.S.S.G. § 1B1.3(a)(1)-(2). When reviewing a district court's

sentencing decisions, the court has plenary review over questions

as to the meaning of the Sentencing Guidelines. United States v.
Edmonds, 52 F.3d 1236, 1244 (3d Cir. 1995). Factual

determinations underlying the application of the guidelines are

reviewed under the clearly erroneous standard. Id.

As to the money laundering counts, the presentence

investigation report ("PSR") determined that over $2.2 million in

proceeds from the unlawful mail fraud scheme had been laundered

by Sokolow. PSR at 6. This amount represented the commissions

received by Sokolow through AIM, and the related insurance
agencies, Sokolow & McMillan, and Sokolow, McMillan & O'Leary. In

addition to this amount, the district court added the additional

$1.8 million Sokolow received in salary, officer's loans, and

other disbursements to calculate the "value of funds" involved in

the money laundering offenses under the Sentencing Guidelines.

The district court concluded that Sokolow had converted $4

million from the mail fraud scheme for personal benefit, and,

therefore, this amount represented the "accurate measure of harm

28
from Defendant's money laundering offenses."0 See Appellant's

Br., Addendum D, at 13. Sokolow argues the district court

erroneously included the $1.8 million as relevant conduct of the

money laundering offense, without determining whether that amount

independently satisfied the elements of §1957, namely, that

Sokolow engaged in monetary transactions in criminally derived

property of a value greater than $10,000. We disagree with

Sokolow's contention.

We have previously noted that the commentary to U.S.S.G.

§2S1.1 does not define "the value of funds." United States v.

Thompson, 40 F.3d 48, 51 (3d Cir. 1994), cert. denied, 115 S.Ct.

1390 (1995). In Thompson, we stated that "[the Commentary]

states that '[t]he amount of money involved is included as a

factor because it is an indicator of the magnitude of the

criminal enterprise, and the extent to which the defendant aided

the enterprise.'" Id. In United States v. Johnson, 971 F.2d

562, 576 (10th Cir. 1992), the court stated that "the measure of

harm under § 2S1.1 is the total amount of the funds involved." In

dicta, the Johnson court noted that
[F]unds associated with uncharged instances of money
laundering can be added in to determine the offense
level under § 2S1.1 if those acts are within the scope
0
Section 2S1.2(b)(2) (Engaging in Monetary Transactions in
Property Derived from Specified Unlawful Activity) of the
Sentencing Guidelines provides that:

If the value of the funds exceeded $100,000, increase
the offense level as specified in § 2S1.1(b)(2).

U.S.S.G. § 2S1.2. Section 2S1.1(b)(2) lists the value of funds
and the corresponding increase in offense level. The Guidelines
prescribe a seven level increase in the offense level when the
value of funds exceeds $3,500,000.

29
 of relevant conduct under § 1B1.3(a)(2). Thus, in
determining the 'value of funds' under § 2S1.1, the
district court is not necessarily limited only to the
funds identified with the counts of conviction.

Id. at 576 n.10.
We find that the district court did not err in finding the

additional $1.8 million as "relevant conduct" within the meaning

of the sentencing guidelines. As previously noted, this amount

was derived from Sokolow's unlawful mail fraud scheme. Further,

Sokolow's accountant testified that the $4 million represented

the total amount of funds disbursed from NIBA to Sokolow during

the period relevant to the mail fraud scheme. As such acts were

"part of the same course of conduct or common scheme or plan as

the offense of conviction," U.S.S.G. § 1B1.3(a)(2), we find that

the $1.8 million was properly considered "relevant conduct" under

the Sentencing Guidelines even though this amount was not charged

in the money laundering counts. See United States v. Rose, 20
F.3d 367, 372-73 (9th Cir. 1994) (finding that uncharged acts of

money laundering may be considered in determining appropriate

sentence under Sentencing Guidelines).
2. Abuse of position of trust enhancement.

Sokolow received a two-level enhancement for abuse of

position of trust under U.S.S.G. § 3B1.3. That section states,

in relevant part:
If the defendant abused a position of public or private
trust, or used a special skill, in a manner that
significantly facilitated the commission or concealment
of the offense, increase by 2 levels.

U.S.S.G. § 3B1.3. At the time of the relevant offenses,

Application Note 1 in the commentary to this section stated the

following:

30
 The position of trust must have contributed in some
substantial way to facilitating the crime and not
merely have provided an opportunity that could as
easily have been afforded to other persons. This
adjustment, for example, would not apply to an
embezzlement by an ordinary bank teller.

U.S.S.G. § 3B1.3, comment. (n.1).0 In applying this section, "a

sentencing court must determine whether a defendant was placed in

a position of trust, and if he was, whether he abused that

position in a way that significantly facilitated his crime."

United States v. Craddock, 993 F.2d 338, 340 (3d Cir. 1993). The

inquiry into whether someone obtains a position of trust

approaches a purely legal determination for which de novo review

is appropriate. Id.; see also United States v. Lieberman, 971

F.2d 989, 993 (3d Cir. 1992). Whether or not a defendant abuses

a position of trust more closely resembles a question of fact and

is reviewed for clear error. Craddock, 993 F.2d at 340.

Sokolow argued before the district court, as he does here on

appeal, that enhancement for abuse of position of trust is

0
Application Note 1 of the Commentary has since been clarified
as follows:

'Public or private trust' refers to a position of
public or private trust characterized by professional
or managerial discretion (i.e., substantial
discretionary judgment that is ordinarily given
considerable deference). Persons holding such
positions ordinarily are subject to significantly less
supervision than employees whose responsibilities are
primarily non-discretionary in nature. For this
enhancement to apply, the position of trust must have
contributed in some significant way to facilitating the
commission or concealment of the offense (e.g., by
making the detection of the offense or the defendant's
responsibility for the offense more difficult).

U.S.S.G. § 3B1.3, comment. (n.1) (1994).

31
inappropriate because Sokolow was not in a position of trust and

because there were no "victims" to the money laundering counts.0

Relying upon United States v. Lowder, 5 F.3d 467, 473 (10th Cir.

1993), the district court rejected Sokolow's argument. In Lowder,

the Tenth Circuit upheld an enhancement for abuse of position of

trust for a money laundering conviction where (1) as a CPA,

defendant provided tax and financial advice to elderly and

unsophisticated clients; (2) he advised his clients to place

their money with him and promised them security; and (3) as

president of the fraudulent investment corporations, he was free

to spend that money, without oversight. Id. In this case, the

district court determined that Sokolow, as CEO and President of

NIBA, abused a position of trust in facilitating the commission

0
At sentencing, Sokolow received a two-level upward adjustment
for his organizer/leader role in the mail fraud offenses under
U.S.S.G. § 3B1.1. See Appellant's Br., Addendum D, at 5; PSR, ¶
27, at 6. Under the sentencing guidelines in effect on the date
of defendant's sentencing, the abuse of a position of trust
adjustment would also apply to the mail fraud offenses, in
addition to the organizer/leader role enhancement. See U.S.S.G. §
3b1.3 (1994). It appears, however, that because the new
guidelines would result in an increased sentence, the district
court adopted the PSR's use of the sentencing guidelines in
effect at the time defendant committed the offenses. See
Appellant's Br., Addendum D, at 2 n.2. Thus, an upward
adjustment for the abuse of position of trust could "not be
employed in addition to that provided for in §3B1.1." U.S.S.G.
§3B1.1. Accordingly, the abuse of position of trust enhancement
could only apply to the money laundering counts. See U.S.S.G.
§1.B1.11 (b)(1) ("If the court determines that use of the
Guidelines Manual in effect on the date that the defendant is
sentenced would violate the ex post facto clause of the United
States Constitution, the court shall use the Guidelines Manual in
effect on date that the offense of conviction was committed.");
see also United States v. Corrado, 53 F.3d 620, 623 (3d Cir.
1995) ("to apply a change in the guidelines that enhances the
penalty would offend the ex post facto clause of the United
States Constitution").

32
of the money laundering offenses. The court relied upon the fact

that Sokolow marketed his insurance plans to small-business

owners and self-employed persons, and was freely able to spend

the derived monies as he wished.

We agree with the district court's conclusion. In United

States v. Pardo, 25 F.3d 1187, 1192 (3d Cir. 1994), we explained

that in determining whether a position constitutes a position of

trust for purposes of § 3B1.3, a court must consider:
(1) whether the position allows the defendant to commit
a difficult-to-detect wrong; (2) the degree of
authority which the position vests in defendant vis-a-
vis the object of the wrongful act; and (3) whether
there has been reliance on the integrity of the person
occupying the position.

Id. The court further stated that, "[t]hese factors should be

considered in light of the guiding rationale of the section--to

punish 'insiders' who abuse their position rather than those who

take advantage of an available opportunity." Id.

Applying the Pardo factors to this case, we find that

Sokolow held a position of trust under U.S.S.G. § 3B1.3. First,

as President of NIBA, Sokolow was able to commit difficult-to-

detect wrongs, as he had sole control over NIBA's accounts

without oversight or supervision. Second, Sokolow exercised the

requisite degree of authority over the object of his wrong. It

was within Sokolow's authority to withdraw funds from NIBA and

that authority was necessary for the commission of the money

laundering offenses.0 Finally, as the district court noted, the

0
Our reference to the money laundering offenses is only to the
three money laundering counts that involved the laundering of
monies from NIBA accounts to other assets that Sokolow owned or
controlled. The remaining counts appear to us to have involved

33
funds to be laundered were derived from Sokolow's marketing of

NIBA insurance plans to small business owners and self-employed

persons. In selecting the NIBA health benefits plan for their

employees and families, these members clearly placed a measure of

reliance on the integrity of Sokolow in his position as President

of NIBA. NIBA members testified to receiving materials regarding

the health benefits plan, signed by Sokolow in his capacity as

President.

Sokolow argues that no fiduciary relationship existed with

NIBA members in connection with the submission of premiums.

Unlike in Lowder, where the defendant induced elderly and

unsophisticated clients to entrust money to him to invest

securely on their behalf, Sokolow contends that NIBA members had

no similar expectation with premiums entrusted to NIBA. We

disagree. NIBA members submitted premiums with the expectation

that their health care claims would be covered by NIBA. As

president of NIBA, Sokolow was entrusted with the proper use of

those funds. Thus, Sokolow held a formal position of trust vis-

a-vis NIBA members.

As Sokolow occupied a position of trust, it must be

determined whether he abused this position "in a manner that

significantly facilitated the commission or concealment of the

only transfers of criminally derived monies from personal
accounts that Sokolow owned or controlled to other assets or
accounts that Sokolow owned or controlled. As to these money
laundering counts, we find no position of trust warranting the
enhancement. See United States v. Hickman, 991 F.2d 1110, 1112
(3d Cir. 1993) ("To abuse a position of trust, a defendant must,
by definition, have taken criminal advantage of a trust
relationship between himself and his victim.").

34
offense." U.S.S.G. § 3B1.3. As indicated, the district court

found that Sokolow's role as president facilitated the commission

of the money laundering offenses. Sokolow had significant

authority over the distribution of NIBA funds. As the district

court noted, Sokolow was "free to spend the money as he wished."

Accordingly, we find that the district court did not clearly err

in finding an abuse of position of trust. In sum, we will affirm

the district court's application of the Sentencing Guidelines.
B. The Restitution Order

The district court ordered Sokolow to pay $690,246 in

restitution to 17 NIBA members in the amount of unpaid claims for

medical care and treatment. According to the government, the

basis for calculating the losses was Gov't Ex. B-110, the

Inservco compilation of adjusted, unpaid claims. The restitution

amount excluded $238,111.46 claimed by Kenneth Harris for

uncovered medical care claims. The district court stated that

"[t]he evidence at trial and the sentencing hearing does not

support any other reductions in the amount of restitution."

Generally, the "district judge must point to evidence in the

record supporting the calculation of loss to the victims."

Copple, 24 F.3d at 549-50. Sokolow argues that other factual

evidence in the record warrants further adjustment to many of the

alleged unpaid claims. Sokolow cites five examples of NIBA

members whose alleged unpaid claims should have been reduced.

(1) Martha Mosher submitted a $12,000 claim,
which was valued by the liquidator at $512. The court
awarded her $51,834.99. In Gov't Ex. B-110, this

35
 amount is listed as an adjusted unpaid claim for Shawn
Mosher.

(2) Patricia and Gerald Ferrier's claims were valued
by the statutory liquidator at zero. This amount is
reflected in Gov't Ex. B-110. Yet, the district court
granted them $3492 in restitution.

(3) Olivia Anderson submitted no documents in support
of her claim, and a letter from the statutory liquidator
stated that all her bills had been paid but one. The court
granted her $47,654. Further, she is not listed in the
excerpts of Gov't Ex. B-110, and the parties have not
indicated from where this amount derives.

(4) David Ahakinian and William Vincent Bradford were
allegedly not paid claims because they misrepresented
preexisting conditions. They disputed these allegations on
the witness stand. The district court awarded them $45,450
and $277,377 respectively.

See Appellant's Br. at 39-40.
Sokolow correctly contends that the basis upon which the

restitution awards was granted is unclear from Gov't Ex. B-110,

and often contradicted by trial testimony. We will remand the

restitution order for the district court to make specific factual

findings regarding the actual amount of recoverable loss

sustained by these claimants.

C. The Forfeiture Order

The district court ordered Sokolow to forfeit $2,141,108.67,

plus the contents of a Commonwealth Federal Savings and Loan

Account, all to be satisfied from substitute assets.

1. Identifiable Forfeitable "Property"

Sokolow challenges the validity of the special verdict forms

used by the jury with regard to 17 money laundering counts. As

an example, the verdict forms for the counts read as follows:
ITEM 1. $125,000.00

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 We the jury find that the property identified as Item 1 is:

a) Property involved in the violation of money laundering
(18 U.S.C. § 1957) charged in Count 126 of the
Indictment and[/]or property traceable to such
property.

YES ________

NO ________

App. at 974. The jury marked "YES" for each of the monetary

amounts listed for the money laundering counts. The criminal

forfeiture provision provides as follows:

The court, in imposing sentence on a person convicted

of an offense in violation of [inter alia, 18 U.S.C.
§1957], shall order that the person forfeit to the

United States any property, real or personal, involved

in such offense, or any property traceable to such

property.

18 U.S.C § 982(a) (1994). Sokolow argues that the special

verdict forms are invalid because they failed to identify

specifically the property involved. We disagree. Federal Rule

of Criminal Procedure 7(c)(2) provides that
[n]o judgment of forfeiture may be entered in a
criminal proceeding unless the indictment or the
information shall allege the extent of the interest or
property subject to forfeiture.

Fed. R. Crim. P. 7(c)(2). Further, Rule 31(e) provides that
[i]f the indictment or the information alleges that an
interest or property is subject to criminal forfeiture,
a special verdict shall be returned as to the extent of
the interest or property subject to forfeiture, if any.

Fed. R. Crim. P. 31(e). The indictment specifically alleges the

amounts involved, and from where the amounts are derived. We

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find that the special verdict forms elicited the proper findings

from the jury.

2. Substitutable Assets

Sokolow argues that the forfeiture of substitute assets on

the basis of the invalid special verdict forms was improper. As

noted above, however, the verdict forms were appropriate, and,

thus, Sokolow's argument on this ground is without merit.

Sokolow also challenges the order of forfeiture of

substitute assets on the basis that the government failed to

demonstrate that this action was appropriate. In general, we may

not set aside the district court's factual findings unless they

are clearly erroneous. United States v. One 1973 Rolls Royce, 43

F.3d 794, 804 (3d Cir. 1994). Forfeiture of substitute assets

may be ordered if the property traceable to money laundering, as

a result of any act or omission of the defendant,

(1) cannot be located upon the exercise of due
diligence; (2) has been transferred or sold to, or
deposited with, a third party; (3) has been placed
beyond the jurisdiction of the court; (4) has been
substantially diminished in value, or (5) has been
commingled with other property which cannot be divided
without difficulty.

21 U.S.C. § 853(p) (1994). In this regard, the district court

found that Sokolow diminished the value of certain real estate

property owned by him, and transferred much of his assets to

other parties and family members, over whom he still exercised

control. We find no clear error in the district court's order of

forfeiture of substitute assets.
3. Criminal Forfeiture Under Count 126

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 Count 126 charged Sokolow with a money laundering

transaction involving $125,000 made on October 4, 1988. The most

recent amendment to the forfeiture statute, however, became

effective on November 18, 1988. Sokolow asserts that, on ex post

facto grounds, this forfeiture should be vacated.

Prior to November 18, 1988, 18 U.S.C. § 982 permitted the

forfeiture of

any property, real or personal, which represents the
gross receipts the person obtained, directly or
indirectly, as a result of such offense, or which is
traceable to such gross receipts.

18 U.S.C. § 982(a) (Supp. V 1987) (emphasis added). The

legislative history of the statute suggested a narrow reading of

the statute stating that "gross receipts" meant "only the

commission earned by the money launderer . . ., and not the

corpus laundered itself." S. Rep No. 433, 99th Cong., 2d Sess.

23 (1986). According to Sokolow, only later was the statute

amended to cover "any property, real or personal, involved in

such offense, or any property traceable to such property."

Appellant's Br. at 48-49 (quoting Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988,
Pub. L. No. 100-690 § 6463, 102 Stat. 4374 (1988)).

Neither party has cited any case law interpreting "gross

receipts" to mean the "corpus laundered." The government argues,

however, that where, as here, the defendant committed the

specified unlawful activity as well as the money laundering

violation, the corpus of the money is the "gross receipts" to the

defendant and is thus forfeitable. We agree.

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 As Sokolow was the person committing the unlawful activity

of mail fraud and also laundering money derived from that

unlawful activity, it is clear that he obtained the total

$125,000 as the "gross receipts" of the money laundering offense.

There is no need for a finding that "Sokolow paid himself a

commission for laundering his own money." See Appellant's Br. at

49. The money was derived from unlawful activity, and there is

no evidence indicating that this does not represent the "gross

receipts" of his money laundering scheme. As review by this

court is for plain error (Sokolow did not challenge this issue at

trial), we find that the district court did not err in

instructing the jury to determine whether the $125,000 was the

amount "involved in the violation of money laundering."

IV. CONCLUSION

In light of the foregoing, we will affirm the judgment of

conviction and sentence, and the forfeiture order. We will

remand for entry of a new restitution order in accordance with

this opinion.

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