United States v. Gaudin

In the trial at issue here, respondent was convicted of making material false statements in a matter within the jurisdiction of a federal agency, in violation of 18 U. S. C. § 1001. The question presented is whether it was constitutional for the trial judge to refuse to submit the question of “materiality” to the jury.

I

In the 1980’s, respondent engaged in a number of real estate transactions financed by loans insured by the Federal *508Housing Administration (FHA), an agency within the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).. Respondent would purchase rental housing, renovate it,…