United States v. Richard A. Tonry

REAVLEY, Circuit Judge:

Richard Tonry appeals his convictions for conspiracy to violate, and two substantive violations of, the Travel Act. 18 U.S.C. §§ 371 & 1952. The state law basis incorporated to support the Travel Act convictions was La.Rev.Stat.Ann. § 14:73 (West 1986), the Louisiana Commercial Bribery Statute. Finding that the Louisiana statute does not reach bribery of non-Louisiana public officials, we vacate and acquit.

I

Tonry’s convictions arise out of his attempts to establish the game of Tri-Zacta Keno in bingo parlors on Indian Reservations. In July, 1984, Tonry and his partners…