305 371-8101

Taxpayer Appealed Arguing That there Was No Factual Basis to Support HIs Guilty Pleas


U.S. v. Parker, U.S. App. LEXIS 7358 (5th Cir. April 2010)

    Parker pleaded guilty to 11 counts of an indictment charging him with conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering, tax evasion, filing a false income tax return, and aiding and abetting related to various fraudulent loans guaranteed by the United States Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im Bank).                             
    In this appeal, Parker contends that his guilty pleas to the conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering counts should be vacated because the factual bases for his pleas failed to establish essential elements of the offenses.

    The court concluded that, assuming that the district court committed clear error, Parker has not shown that his substantial rights were affected. Parker's actions were audacious and systematic and resulted in a loss to the Government exceeding $ 100 million.

    Parker benefited greatly from the plea agreement as his total imprisonment was a total of 10 years, instead of theoretical maximum sentence of 50 or 60 years.

    The record reflects that his guilty pleas were knowing and voluntary.

    The judgment is affirmed.
                                              
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