United States v. Donald E. Meadows

TUTTLE, Circuit Judge:

Meadows was a CETA1 employee who, through an administrative error, received duplicate paychecks and cashed them until the mistake was discovered. He was convicted of “obtain[ing] by fraud” the duplicate paychecks in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 665. Because the district court improperly charged the jury in its definition of fraud as applied to the facts of the case, we reverse and remand for a new trial. Other issues raised in this appeal which may arise on retrial are also considered.

I. FACTS.

Meadows was indicted on one count of violating 18 U.S.C. § 665.2 The relevant *986facts…