The Court of Appeal has denied Marc Engelmann's appeal of his conviction for mortgage fraud. Engelmann's appeal was based on four alleged errors by the District Court. He argued the District court erred because it:
1. Refused to give his requested jury instruction regarding the definition of good faith.
2. Refused to grant him a new trial because the investigating FBI agents were having a conversation in the hallway during a break.
3. Increased his base offense level by 12 for the amount of the loss involved in his convictions.
4. Ordered him to repay almost $400,000 in restitution.
The Court of Appeals affirmed Engelmann's conviction and sentence. He is currently incarcerated in the Federal Correctional Institute in Terre Haute, Indiana with a release date of 14 October 2014.
And just last week I had an attorney ask me to arrange to have the seller pay the buyer under the table for a "repair" credit. Unbelievable.
Monday, August 12, 2013
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Engelmann appeal update
Marc Englemann's appeal of the denial of his motion for a new trial was granted, and the matter was sent back to the District Court for further consideration. Several months ago, the Court had a hearing on whether the sequestration order was violated when the FBI case agent was seen talking to his partner and maybe the lead prosecutor or maybe someone else in the hallway of the courthouse, and found it was not. Engelmann appealed this decision. The Court of Appeals decided that there should be an evidentiary hearing so the Judge could hear from the various witnesses. After this evidentiary hearing, the motion was again denied.
Three individuals claimed they witnessed the above-referenced conversation, though their recollections were rather varied. First up, was Richard McNamara, a self-employed contractor. Mr. McNamara called the judge's chambers, on 14 September 2011, the day after Engelmann's verdict was returned. When asked by the chambers staff person what his relationship was to the case, he replied that his wife and Engelmann's ex-wife were friends. He forgot to mention that he had known Engelmann for many years, and used Engelmann for several hundred legal matters, including real estate transactions and incorporations, and that Engelmann was the registered agent for several of Mr. McNamara's corporations and LLCs.
According to Mr. McNamara, during a recess on the afternoon 09 September 2011, which was the last day of testimony, he was walking down some steps, and heard an unidentified person saying something to the effect of, "we had Engelmann at his office." The court noted that the specific language was somewhat in doubt. He looked back to see the FBI case agent and his partner, and an individual he did not recognize. He pointed this out to his daughter, Kathryn Sommers. He recalled that the conversation was "serious," but could not hear them. Even though he apparently thought this discussion was significant and important enough to call a federal judge to discuss it, he waited until after the trial was over to bring it up to anyone, including, apparently, Engelmann or his attorney. The court also noted Mr. McNamara's personal interest in the case in a footnote where he described the FBI case agent recalling that Mr. McNamara gave him a "thumbs down" gesture as they were leaving the courthouse after the case agent's testimony. I think that most people, as a general rule, try to avoid rude gestures to FBI agents, especially at federal courthouses.
Ms. Sommers recalls this conversation taking place on the first day of the trial, 05 September 2011. She remembers her father drawing her attention to three men talking. She claims this group included the FBI case agent, his partner, and the lead prosecutor. She did not hear anything that was said by the group. Both Mr. McNamara and Ms. Sommers attended the most if not all of the trial, so the lead prosecutor would be easy to identify, even though Mr. McNamara did not recognize the third person in his group.
Finally, Jay Sommers, Ms. Sommers' husband, Mr. McNamara's son in law, at the time a Scott County assistant prosecutor, a character witness for Engelmann, and currently the attorney who took over Engelmann's practice, had a different recollection. He recalled standing in the lobby within five feet of Mr. McNamara and his wife. His wife called his attention to two people in suits talking about twenty-five to thirty feet away. She asked if they could do that. He later determined that the two individuals were the FBI case agent and his partner. Mr. Sommers was unable even to hear their voices.
Mr. McNamara was present during the closing arguments of Engelmann's trial, in which the prosecution stressed the importance of the FBI agents' testimony. It would seem that if he felt this hallway conversation was inappropriate, he would have brought it up to Engelmann or his attorney at that point. It was also discussed during the evidentiary hearing that Englemann's attorney had a copy of the report prepared by the FBI agents at the time of their interview with Engelmann before he was arrested, and that both agents testified consistently with that report. Based on this evidence, the Court did not find any prejudice to Engelmann which would require a new trial. According to the Court:
"More fundamentally, absent speculation and argument by interested parties, the only reasonable construction of the events during the afternoon recess on that Friday is a meeting of the prosecutors and their trial team with an upcoming rebuttal witness in which the prosecutor advised that witness of the areas that would be covered. This does not violate the Sequestration Order."
The motion for a new trial and the motion for release pending appeal were both denied.
Three individuals claimed they witnessed the above-referenced conversation, though their recollections were rather varied. First up, was Richard McNamara, a self-employed contractor. Mr. McNamara called the judge's chambers, on 14 September 2011, the day after Engelmann's verdict was returned. When asked by the chambers staff person what his relationship was to the case, he replied that his wife and Engelmann's ex-wife were friends. He forgot to mention that he had known Engelmann for many years, and used Engelmann for several hundred legal matters, including real estate transactions and incorporations, and that Engelmann was the registered agent for several of Mr. McNamara's corporations and LLCs.
According to Mr. McNamara, during a recess on the afternoon 09 September 2011, which was the last day of testimony, he was walking down some steps, and heard an unidentified person saying something to the effect of, "we had Engelmann at his office." The court noted that the specific language was somewhat in doubt. He looked back to see the FBI case agent and his partner, and an individual he did not recognize. He pointed this out to his daughter, Kathryn Sommers. He recalled that the conversation was "serious," but could not hear them. Even though he apparently thought this discussion was significant and important enough to call a federal judge to discuss it, he waited until after the trial was over to bring it up to anyone, including, apparently, Engelmann or his attorney. The court also noted Mr. McNamara's personal interest in the case in a footnote where he described the FBI case agent recalling that Mr. McNamara gave him a "thumbs down" gesture as they were leaving the courthouse after the case agent's testimony. I think that most people, as a general rule, try to avoid rude gestures to FBI agents, especially at federal courthouses.
Ms. Sommers recalls this conversation taking place on the first day of the trial, 05 September 2011. She remembers her father drawing her attention to three men talking. She claims this group included the FBI case agent, his partner, and the lead prosecutor. She did not hear anything that was said by the group. Both Mr. McNamara and Ms. Sommers attended the most if not all of the trial, so the lead prosecutor would be easy to identify, even though Mr. McNamara did not recognize the third person in his group.
Finally, Jay Sommers, Ms. Sommers' husband, Mr. McNamara's son in law, at the time a Scott County assistant prosecutor, a character witness for Engelmann, and currently the attorney who took over Engelmann's practice, had a different recollection. He recalled standing in the lobby within five feet of Mr. McNamara and his wife. His wife called his attention to two people in suits talking about twenty-five to thirty feet away. She asked if they could do that. He later determined that the two individuals were the FBI case agent and his partner. Mr. Sommers was unable even to hear their voices.
Mr. McNamara was present during the closing arguments of Engelmann's trial, in which the prosecution stressed the importance of the FBI agents' testimony. It would seem that if he felt this hallway conversation was inappropriate, he would have brought it up to Engelmann or his attorney at that point. It was also discussed during the evidentiary hearing that Englemann's attorney had a copy of the report prepared by the FBI agents at the time of their interview with Engelmann before he was arrested, and that both agents testified consistently with that report. Based on this evidence, the Court did not find any prejudice to Engelmann which would require a new trial. According to the Court:
"More fundamentally, absent speculation and argument by interested parties, the only reasonable construction of the events during the afternoon recess on that Friday is a meeting of the prosecutors and their trial team with an upcoming rebuttal witness in which the prosecutor advised that witness of the areas that would be covered. This does not violate the Sequestration Order."
The motion for a new trial and the motion for release pending appeal were both denied.
Monday, March 18, 2013
Buyer Select for HUD Purchases
As of March 01, 2013, buyers of properties in Northern Illinois sold by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) can select their own closing agent under a program called Buyer Select.
While I am always in favor of buyers being able to choose closing and title agents, closing a HUD transaction has several peculiar twists and turns. Missing a deadline or a filing can result in the closing being delayed or the transaction being cancelled. We have successfully closed over 3,000 HUD transactions since 2007, so we know exactly what needs to be done and when. We have seen the title fees charged by Gardi and Haught, Ltd. and Lakeshore Title Agency, the current HUD closings agents for northern and central Illinois. They charge at least three to four times what local providers charge for the exact same product.
If you are a potential buyer of a HUD home, or a real estate agent representing a potential HUD home buyer, please feel free to call our office at 309.736.3117, and we will assist you in properly preparing the purchase agreement to ensure the closing is as smooth, rapid, and reasonably priced as possible. We can provide title and closing services for the entire state of Illinois.
While I am always in favor of buyers being able to choose closing and title agents, closing a HUD transaction has several peculiar twists and turns. Missing a deadline or a filing can result in the closing being delayed or the transaction being cancelled. We have successfully closed over 3,000 HUD transactions since 2007, so we know exactly what needs to be done and when. We have seen the title fees charged by Gardi and Haught, Ltd. and Lakeshore Title Agency, the current HUD closings agents for northern and central Illinois. They charge at least three to four times what local providers charge for the exact same product.
If you are a potential buyer of a HUD home, or a real estate agent representing a potential HUD home buyer, please feel free to call our office at 309.736.3117, and we will assist you in properly preparing the purchase agreement to ensure the closing is as smooth, rapid, and reasonably priced as possible. We can provide title and closing services for the entire state of Illinois.
Friday, March 15, 2013
Mediation
Alternative dispute resolution is nothing new, but it still seems to be underutilized. Any type of dispute that can be litigated can be mediated: Personal injury, divorce, custody, contract disputes, business dissolutions, neighborhood disputes, even collections.
Mediation is very successful in resolving disputes. While it depends on many factors, including the matter being mediated, the willingness of the parties to negotiate, the parties' attorneys, and of course the mediator, over 90% of disputes submitted to mediation are resolved.
Mediation gives you an opportunity to be heard. Mediation lets parties discuss their disputes in detail. Litigation is highly structured and allows only facts allowed under the strict rules of evidence to be presented. The fact that you may be hurt or angry is irrelevant in litigation, but can be addressed in mediation.
Mediation is much less expensive than litigation. Expert witness, endless motions, and protracted discovery are all unnecessary in mediation.
Mediation puts the parties in control. Litigation forces you to give up control to a judge or jury who only knows what the rules of evidence allow them to hear. Your opinions, feelings, suggestions are not part of the discussion in litigation, but are all important components in mediation.
There are no losers in mediation. In litigation, one side will win, and one side will lose, and even the winner does not always get what he or she wants, and will usually have paid a large sum of money and spent a large block of time. Mediation allows the parties to creatively craft their own solutions.
Mediation is faster. Most mediations are completed in one day. In litigation, your case may linger on the court docket for months, then take weeks or months after your trial to be decided, then take months or years in appeals. Mediation lets you resolve your dispute immediately.
There are a number of ways mediation can be started. Sometimes one party will contact a mediator and let the mediator initiate contact with the other party. Sometimes both parties will select a mediator. Sometimes the attorneys for the parties make the arrangements.
For more information on allowing me to mediate your dispute, please contact our office at 309.736.3117, or visit our website.
Mediation is very successful in resolving disputes. While it depends on many factors, including the matter being mediated, the willingness of the parties to negotiate, the parties' attorneys, and of course the mediator, over 90% of disputes submitted to mediation are resolved.
Mediation gives you an opportunity to be heard. Mediation lets parties discuss their disputes in detail. Litigation is highly structured and allows only facts allowed under the strict rules of evidence to be presented. The fact that you may be hurt or angry is irrelevant in litigation, but can be addressed in mediation.
Mediation is much less expensive than litigation. Expert witness, endless motions, and protracted discovery are all unnecessary in mediation.
Mediation puts the parties in control. Litigation forces you to give up control to a judge or jury who only knows what the rules of evidence allow them to hear. Your opinions, feelings, suggestions are not part of the discussion in litigation, but are all important components in mediation.
There are no losers in mediation. In litigation, one side will win, and one side will lose, and even the winner does not always get what he or she wants, and will usually have paid a large sum of money and spent a large block of time. Mediation allows the parties to creatively craft their own solutions.
Mediation is faster. Most mediations are completed in one day. In litigation, your case may linger on the court docket for months, then take weeks or months after your trial to be decided, then take months or years in appeals. Mediation lets you resolve your dispute immediately.
There are a number of ways mediation can be started. Sometimes one party will contact a mediator and let the mediator initiate contact with the other party. Sometimes both parties will select a mediator. Sometimes the attorneys for the parties make the arrangements.
For more information on allowing me to mediate your dispute, please contact our office at 309.736.3117, or visit our website.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Here ya go.
"Here ya go." What does that even mean?
Just spent $400 at Home Depot. After scanning the little bar codes, the cashier hands me my receipt and says, "Here ya go." Not, "Thank you." Not even the ubiquitous and now meaningless, "Have a nice day."
Here. Ya. Go.
She actually seemed to be waiting for me to thank HER for handing me my receipt--which is actually the proof that she should be thanking me for adding $400 to Home Depot's coffers. This, as astute readers will surmise, results in her company being able to pay her. I have seen many, many polite Midwesterners, after hearing, "Here ya go," thank the cashier for giving them a receipt. And the cashier proudly replying, "You're welcome!" Heck, they have even tricked me into thanking them for handing me a receipt. You would think they would be at least Midwestern polite enough to thank me for thanking them.
This does not just occur at Home Depot, it seems to be very pervasive lately. What happened to thanking your customers? Do employees not understand the process? Money comes in from customers to company in exchange for merchandise. Company doles a small portion of that money out to employees as pay for taking customers' money. Is that too big of a stretch to comprehend that customers pay their wages?
Apparently. Here ya go.
Just spent $400 at Home Depot. After scanning the little bar codes, the cashier hands me my receipt and says, "Here ya go." Not, "Thank you." Not even the ubiquitous and now meaningless, "Have a nice day."
Here. Ya. Go.
She actually seemed to be waiting for me to thank HER for handing me my receipt--which is actually the proof that she should be thanking me for adding $400 to Home Depot's coffers. This, as astute readers will surmise, results in her company being able to pay her. I have seen many, many polite Midwesterners, after hearing, "Here ya go," thank the cashier for giving them a receipt. And the cashier proudly replying, "You're welcome!" Heck, they have even tricked me into thanking them for handing me a receipt. You would think they would be at least Midwestern polite enough to thank me for thanking them.
This does not just occur at Home Depot, it seems to be very pervasive lately. What happened to thanking your customers? Do employees not understand the process? Money comes in from customers to company in exchange for merchandise. Company doles a small portion of that money out to employees as pay for taking customers' money. Is that too big of a stretch to comprehend that customers pay their wages?
Apparently. Here ya go.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
New car buying
Bought a new car lately? Why, why, why is it still so horrible? In 2012, every dealer must know that most consumers do their homework on the interwebs regarding prices, options, and trade-ins. And they still pull the, "I need to check with my manager routine." I made it very clear what price I would pay, and that I was not going to play the back and forth negotiation game, so they better make sure they give me their last and best offer right out of the gate.
Of course, they came back way higher than I was going to pay, though to their credit they did try to obfuscate it by monkeying with the trade-in value. I asked if this was the last and best offer and was told it was. So I left, and planned to go to a different dealer.
I had a message waiting for me before I even made it back to the office. By golly, they were willing to knock $500 off their last and best offer. Nope, still too much.
Sooo, then "The Manager" calls. "What can we do to put you in this car today?" Charge me what everyone else is paying for this model. "Weeeelllllll......"
Sure, I know they are just trying to stick it to us consumers, just like in the good old days. But it sure left a sour taste in my mouth with regard to this dealer, and this brand. Seriously, does all this dinking around really work on people? Are they just bored and have nothing better to do than to try to squeeze a few extra bucks from people while destroying any goodwill those customers may have had? Are they simply evil?
When I go to Target I am not forced to play games like this. So, notice to all car dealers: Figure out what your overhead is, and how many cars you sell, and price them accordingly. I would have purchased a new car years ago if I was not procrastinating, knowing what horrors awaited me at the dealership. Make it pleasant, charge a fair price, and you will sell more cars. Simple.
And another thing: Do NOT give them your email address. I have been inundated with "Congratulations on your new Honda, please buy this or complete this survey or get a great deal on male enhancement drugs for your driving pleasure." Ok, maybe I made that last one up, but in any event, I set my spam filter to block anything with the word "Honda" in it, so who knows?
Maybe by the time I am ready for my next car, I can just get it on Amazon.
Of course, they came back way higher than I was going to pay, though to their credit they did try to obfuscate it by monkeying with the trade-in value. I asked if this was the last and best offer and was told it was. So I left, and planned to go to a different dealer.
I had a message waiting for me before I even made it back to the office. By golly, they were willing to knock $500 off their last and best offer. Nope, still too much.
Sooo, then "The Manager" calls. "What can we do to put you in this car today?" Charge me what everyone else is paying for this model. "Weeeelllllll......"
Sure, I know they are just trying to stick it to us consumers, just like in the good old days. But it sure left a sour taste in my mouth with regard to this dealer, and this brand. Seriously, does all this dinking around really work on people? Are they just bored and have nothing better to do than to try to squeeze a few extra bucks from people while destroying any goodwill those customers may have had? Are they simply evil?
When I go to Target I am not forced to play games like this. So, notice to all car dealers: Figure out what your overhead is, and how many cars you sell, and price them accordingly. I would have purchased a new car years ago if I was not procrastinating, knowing what horrors awaited me at the dealership. Make it pleasant, charge a fair price, and you will sell more cars. Simple.
And another thing: Do NOT give them your email address. I have been inundated with "Congratulations on your new Honda, please buy this or complete this survey or get a great deal on male enhancement drugs for your driving pleasure." Ok, maybe I made that last one up, but in any event, I set my spam filter to block anything with the word "Honda" in it, so who knows?
Maybe by the time I am ready for my next car, I can just get it on Amazon.
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