United States v. Gordon G. Atwell, Jr.

Gordon Atwell appeals his conviction under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1341 and 1342 for mail fraud and aiding and abetting. He was found guilty by a jury on all sixteen counts of the indictment. Appellant bases his appeal on asserted errors in evidentiary rulings and on limitations placed on cross-examination of a government witness.

The facts of the case arise out of the oil fields of Oklahoma. The appellant worked for Major Oil Company, a Texas corporation engaged in promoting oil well drilling ventures. It assembled limited partnerships for wells and acted as the general partner. The company then hired…