Free Sentencing Memorandum - District Court of Connecticut - Connecticut

Case 3:02-cr-00264-AWT

Document 1604-2

Filed 07/13/2005

Page 1 of 2

Table of Contents Introduction

Page

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Part 1 Guidelines Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 A. 1. 2. The Appropriate Offense Level is 34 . . . . . . . . . 4

Base offense level: (Begin at level 6) . . . . . . . . . . 5 The Loss Amount: a. b. (Add 18 levels) . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 . . . . 6

The Loss Substantially Exceeds $80 Million

An 18 Level Enhancement for Loss Does Not Overstate the Seriousness of Shelton's Crimes . . . . . . . . . . 10 i. ii. Shelton's Intended Harm Argument is Baseless . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Shelton, Who Pleaded Not Guilty, Is Not Entitled to the Benefits of the Plea Agreements of His CoConspirators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 . . . . 16 20 23 25 26 27 31 39 41 41 43 51

iii. The Case Law Does Not Support Shelton iv. v. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Shelton's "Loss Amount" is More Than $80 Million . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shelton Benefitted Greatly From the Fraud . .

More Than Minimal Planning, Multiple Victims: (Add 2 levels) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Abuse of a Position of Trust: (Add 2 levels) . . . . . . Role in the Offense: (Add 4 levels) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Perjury, Obstruction of Justice: (Add 2 levels)

No Acceptance of Responsibility:(Subtract 0 levels) B.

Shelton is Not Entitled to a Downward Departure . . 1. 2. 3. General Principles Do Not Favor Departures . . A Departure For Good Deeds is Unwarranted . .

A Departure to Avoid Disparity is Unwarranted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i

Case 3:02-cr-00264-AWT

Document 1604-2

Filed 07/13/2005

Page 2 of 2

4. 5. 6. B.

No Departure is Warranted Due to "Overlapping Conduct." . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

56

No Departure is Warranted Due to an Overstatement of the Seriousness of the Offense . . . . . . 60 No Departure is Warranted Due to Family Circumstances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 61 63 64 68 70 71 75 77 86

No Departure is Warranted by Combining the Motions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Part 2 Section 3553 Factors A. B. C. D. E. G.

The Nature and Circumstances of the Offense

History and Characteristics of Shelton . . . . . . . The Sentence Must Promote Respect for the Law . . .

The Court Should Consider General Deterrence . . . . Shelton Has Earned A Lengthy Sentence Comparable to Those Imposed on Similarly Situated Offenders . . . An Order of Restitution Should be Imposed . . . . .

Conclusion

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ii