United States v. Waknine

Opinion by Judge GOULD; Partial Concurrence and Partial Dissent by Judge IKUTA.

GOULD, Circuit Judge:

Hai Waknine appeals his sentence of 121 months of imprisonment and $646,000 in restitution payments imposed by the district court after he pleaded guilty to one count of racketeer influenced and corrupt organizations (“RICO”) conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d), for laundering proceeds by embezzling from the Tel Aviv Trade Bank and brokering loans through extortion. He argues that (1) the government violated the plea agreement by not orally recommending at the sentencing hearing a…