United States v. Jeffrey Bruteyn

JERRY E. SMITH, Circuit Judge:

Jeffrey Bruteyn sold investors secured debt obligations (“SDOs”) based on the loans his company made to used-car purchasers. He misrepresented his credentials and insurance coverage on the investments and marketed his investment offerings as though they were as safe as FDIC-backed certificates of deposit. At trial, Bruteyn represented himself but was chastised by the court several times for making factual assertions in examining witnesses without taking the stand himself.

Bruteyn was convicted. On appeal, he challenges (1) the admission of a civil order at trial;…