Tax Update Blog: Permalink

« Previous · Tax Update Blog Home · Next »

KETCHUP POPSICLE, ANYONE?

October 04, 2006

If you are a criminal defendant, you want to make a good impression on the judge. Denis Shusterman didn't do so. U.S. District Court Judge Legrome Davis had this to say about Mr. Shusterman:

This Court finds defendant's assertion of innocence to be utterly lacking in credibility. After having the opportunity to observe and evaluate defendant's credibility during his trial testimony and his evidentiary hearing testimony, this Court finds that defendant is the most specially talented liar this Court has ever encountered.9 His version of the truth appears to be that which will benefit him most at the moment; it changes with his needs and at his whim. Defendant has a history of lying to his friends, lying to his family, and lying under oath.

And footnote 9?

9 Defendant is also a master manipulator. As Ronald Davis, defendant's former business partner, testified, defendant "could sell [a] ketchup popsicle to a guy in white gloves." 4/21/06 Tr. at 32.

It's bad enough to be called a liar by your judge, but when he takes the trouble to elaborate on your character flaws in a footnote, you know you're in big trouble. Needless to say, Mr. Shusterman lost his case: an attempt to withdraw a guilty plea to fraud and tax charges for stealing $10 million from his employer. He will now have 14 years to mend his ways.

Cite: United States v. Denis Shusterman; DC-ED PA, No. 04-0364

      Bookmark: del.icio.us • Digg • reddit