U.S. v. Godwin, 77-5246

Decision Date27 January 1978
Docket NumberNo. 77-5246,77-5246
Citation566 F.2d 975
PartiesUNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. John Henry GODWIN, Defendant-Appellant. Summary Calendar. *
CourtU.S. Court of Appeals — Fifth Circuit

William D. Smith, Atlanta, Ga. (Court-appointed), for defendant-appellant.

William L. Harper, U. S. Atty., William P. Gaffney, Asst. U. S. Atty., Atlanta, Ga., for plaintiff-appellee.

Appeal from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.

Before THORNBERRY, RONEY and HILL, Circuit Judges.

PER CURIAM:

The appellant was convicted on thirty-seven counts of submitting false time sheets to a United States Marshal, 18 U.S.C. § 1001. 1 After review of the entire record, we are of the opinion that there has been no error, and affirm.

The appellant was employed by the United States Marshal's Service, guarding hospitalized prisoners. He supervised other guards, and prepared both his and their time sheets. The government's evidence showed that on many occasions he filled out time sheets for periods when he and other guards were not in fact working, and submitted them to the United States Marshal's office. He and other guards were paid according to these submissions, and he received kickbacks from other guards.

On appeal, as at trial, the appellant denies any intent to defraud the government, and further asserts that the court's failure to so charge the jury was error.

In United States v. Lange, 528 F.2d 1280, 1287 (5 Cir. 1976) we stated the five elements necessary to sustain a conviction under 18 U.S.C. § 1001: (1) a statement, (2) falsity, (3) materiality, (4) specific intent, and (5) agency jurisdiction.

Intent to deceive and intent to defraud are not synonymous. Deceive is to cause to believe the false or to mislead. Defraud is to deprive of some right, interest or property by deceit. Since the purpose of 18 U.S.C. § 1001 is to protect the government against those who would cheat or mislead it in the administration of its programs, a charge that includes specific intent to deceive along with the other elements mentioned above comports with 18 U.S.C. § 1001. United States v. Johnson, 284 F.Supp. 273 (W.D.Mo.1968), aff'd, 410 F.2d 38 (8 Cir. 1968), cert. denied, 396 U.S. 822, 90 S.Ct. 63, 24 L.Ed.2d 72 (1969). 18 U.S.C. § 1001 does not require that the government prove a specific intent to defraud. Accordingly, since the charge in the instant case was comprised of all of the necessary elements, there is no error.

We have reviewed the other issues raised, and they are...

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18 cases
  • Carl Follo, Follo Hospitality, Inc. v. Morency (In re Morency)
    • United States
    • U.S. Bankruptcy Court — District of Massachusetts
    • 18 Septiembre 2015
    ...v. Holder, 324 F.App'x 82, at *1 (2nd Cir. 2009) ("The intent to deceive is not equivalent to the intent to defraud"); U.S. v. Godwin, 566 F.2d 975, 976 (5th Cir. 1978) ("Intent to deceive and intent to defraud are not synonymous"), adding "[i]ntent to deceive differs from intent to defraud......
  • U.S. v. Blood
    • United States
    • U.S. Court of Appeals — Sixth Circuit
    • 24 Enero 2006
    ...by deceit.'" United States v. Yermian, 468 U.S. 63, 73 n. 12, 104 S.Ct. 2936, 82 L.Ed.2d 53 (1984) (quoting United States v. Godwin, 566 F.2d 975, 976 (5th Cir.1978)). Therefore, the intent to deceive does not necessarily include an intent to cause a loss. See Sui v. INS, 250 F.3d 105, 118 ......
  • United States v. Yates
    • United States
    • U.S. Court of Appeals — Ninth Circuit
    • 8 Octubre 2021
    ...synonymous." United States v. Yermian , 468 U.S. 63, 73 n.12, 104 S.Ct. 2936, 82 L.Ed.2d 53 (1984) (quoting United States v. Godwin , 566 F.2d 975, 976 (5th Cir. 1978) (per curiam)). Rather, "the scheme must be one to deceive the bank and deprive it of something of value." Shaw , 137 S. Ct.......
  • State v. Hoyman
    • United States
    • Iowa Supreme Court
    • 1 Mayo 2015
    ...that defrauding another is generally viewed as a narrower concept than merely deceiving another. See also United States v. Godwin, 566 F.2d 975, 976 (5th Cir.1978) (“Intent to deceive and intent to defraud are not synonymous. Deceive is to cause to believe the false or to mislead. Defraud i......
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