United States v. Hallinan, 318 F. Supp. 3d 728 (2018)

July 25, 2018 · United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania · CRIMINAL ACTION NO. 16-130-01
318 F. Supp. 3d 728

UNITED STATES of America
v.
Charles M. HALLINAN

CRIMINAL ACTION NO. 16-130-01

United States District Court, E.D. Pennsylvania.

July 25, 2018

*730Louis D. Lappen, Maria M. Carrillo, Mark B. Dubnoff, Robert A. Zauzmer, U.S. Attorney's Office, James A. Petkun, Reed Smith, Philadelphia, PA, for United States of America.

MEMORANDUM

EDUARDO C. ROBRENO, J.

Following a jury trial, Defendant Charles M. Hallinan was convicted of conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization ("RICO") Act, conspiracy to commit fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering, and sentenced to 168 months of imprisonment. At the sentencing hearing, the Court determined that Hallinan presented a risk of flight, but allowed Hallinan to self-report to the Bureau of Prisons ten days following the sentencing hearing on the basis of stringent, temporary conditions imposed by the Court to secure his appearance. Hallinan has filed a notice of appeal from his conviction and sentence, and now seeks bail pending his appeal.1 The Government opposes the motion. Following a hearing and for the reasons set forth below, the Court will deny the motion.

*731I. PROCEDURAL HISTORY

On March 31, 2016, Hallinan was indicted by a grand jury on two counts of conspiracy to violate the RICO Act in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d), one count of conspiracy to commit fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371, two counts of mail fraud and aiding and abetting mail fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1341 and 2, three counts of wire fraud and aiding and abetting wire fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1343 and 2, and nine counts of money laundering in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956(a)(2). ECF No. 1. Hallinan's co-defendant Randall P. Ginger was indicted on the same charges, and Hallinan's co-defendant Wheeler K. Neff was indicted on all of the same charges except money laundering. See id. A second grand jury was later empaneled and returned a superseding indictment on December 1, 2016. ECF No. 87.

Hallinan and Neff filed a motion to dismiss the charges against them on February 8, 2017, ECF No. 149, which the Court denied on August 15, 2017, ECF No. 203. A jury trial commenced on September 26, 2017, against Hallinan and Neff.2

On November 27, 2017, the jury returned a guilty verdict against both Defendants on all counts of the superseding indictment. On July 6, 2018, following a hearing, the Court sentenced Hallinan to 168 months of imprisonment on Counts One, Two, and Four through Seventeen of the superseding indictment, and 60 months of imprisonment on Count Three, to run concurrently. ECF No. 505.

On July 10, 2018, Hallinan filed a notice of appeal from the judgment. ECF No. 509. The same day, Hallinan filed an emergency motion for bail pending appeal, which asserts that (1) Hallinan must be released immediately because the Bureau of Prisons cannot adequately treat his bladder and prostate cancer ; and (2) Hallinan should be granted bail pending appeal because he is not a risk of flight or danger to the community, and there are substantial issues on appeal for which a reversal, new trial, or resentencing is likely. ECF No. 510. Regarding the substantial issues on appeal, Hallinan asserts that (1) the Court erred when it permitted the Government to use a privileged email at trial on the basis of the crime-fraud exception; (2) the Court failed to adequately account for Hallinan's medical conditions during sentencing, and inappropriately considered ex parte communications;3 and (3) the Court *732failed to instruct the jury on willfulness for the RICO counts in light of Hallinan's good faith defense. See id.

The Government filed a response in opposition on July 18, 2018. ECF No. 519. The Court held a hearing on July 23, 2018, and is now ready to rule on the motion.

II. LEGAL STANDARD

"A person who has been found guilty of an offense and sentenced to a term of imprisonment, and who has filed an appeal ... [must] be detained," unless the Court determines:

(A) by clear and convincing evidence that the person is not likely to flee or pose a danger to the safety of any other person or the community if released under section 3142(b)4 or (c)5 of this title; and
(B) that the appeal is not for the purpose of delay and raises a substantial question of law or fact likely to result in -
(i) reversal,
(ii) an order for a new trial,
(iii) a sentence that does not include a term of imprisonment, or
(iv) a reduced sentence to a term of imprisonment less than the total of the time already served plus the expected duration of the appeal process.

18 U.S.C. § 3143(b).

The Third Circuit has established a four part test that must be satisfied in order for the court to grant bail pending appeal:

(1) that the defendant is not likely to flee or pose a danger to the safety of any other person or the community if released;
(2) that the appeal is not for purpose of delay;
(3) that the appeal raises a substantial question of law or fact; and
(4) that if that substantial question is determined favorably to defendant on appeal, that decision is likely to result in reversal or an order for a new trial of all counts on which imprisonment has been imposed.

United States v. Zaverukha, No. 94-515-01, 2001 WL 873214, at *1 (E.D. Pa. May 14, 2001) (quoting United States v. Miller, 753 F.2d 19, 24 (3d Cir. 1985) ). The defendant has the burden of proving each of these elements. Id.

A question raised on appeal is "substantial" if "the significant question at issue is one which is either novel, which has not been decided by controlling precedent, or which is fairly doubtful." Miller, 753 F.2d at 23. Fairly doubtful means "debatable among jurists of reason; that a court could resolve the issues [in a different manner]; or that the questions are adequate to deserve encouragement to proceed further." United States v. Smith, 793 F.2d 85, 89 (3d Cir. 1986) (citing Barefoot v. Estelle, 463 U.S. 880, 893 n.4, 103 S.Ct. 3383, 77 L.Ed.2d 1090 (1983) (alterations in original) ); see also United States v. Roudakov, No. 03-91, 2005 WL 3263048, at *5 (E.D. Pa. Dec. 1, 2005). The substantial question must also be "so integral to *733the merits of the conviction on which defendant is to be imprisoned that a contrary appellate holding is likely to require reversal of the conviction or a new trial." Miller, 753 F.2d at 23.

III. DISCUSSION

Hallinan's motion raises two issues: (1) that he should be released on bail pending appeal pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3143(b) ; and (2) that his incarceration under his medical circumstances would violate the Eighth Amendment prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment, because the Bureau of Prisons cannot adequately treat his medical conditions while he is incarcerated. Neither of these arguments has merit.

A. Bail Pending Appeal Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3143(b)

In his motion, Hallinan contends that he must be released on bail pending appeal pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3143(b) because (1) he is not a risk of flight; (2) he is not a danger to the community; and (3) he raises substantial issues on appeal that are likely to result in reversal, a new trial, or a sentence that does not include a term of imprisonment. See Miller, 753 F.2d at 24. The Government concedes that Hallinan does not pose a danger to the community, and the Court agrees.6

The Court cannot release Hallinan on bail pending appeal unless Hallinan proves "by clear and convincing evidence" that he is "not likely to flee." 18 U.S.C. § 3143(b).

Hallinan argues that he is not a risk of flight because he has surrendered his passport, all of his family is in the United States, he is a first time offender, he has known of the investigation of the case for several years, his flight would leave his wife, step-daughters, and step-grandchild without a home, and in his medical condition he would want to be with his family here in Philadelphia.

At sentencing, the Court considered these circumstances and found that Hallinan presented a risk of flight for several reasons.7 First, in response to defense counsel's assertions that Hallinan was not a risk of flight because he knew this day was coming for many years, throughout the investigation, indictment, and prosecution of the case, the Court disagreed, explaining that Hallinan's behavior in fact suggested that he never thought he would face punishment for his crimes. The Court noted that Hallinan claimed his innocence throughout the proceedings, and in fact told the Probation Office during its presentence investigation that he was "shocked" by the verdict, that "everything" he did was "100% legal from day one," that some expect him to be "contrite" or "sorry" but he feels "exactly the opposite," and that he has never committed a crime in his life. Presentence Investigation Report at ¶¶ 66, 123. This is not a declaration by someone who ever expected to go to prison.

Second, the Court explained that Hallinan is facing a substantial sentence of fourteen years of imprisonment, which, particularly at the age of 77, provides an incentive to flee. Id. at 209:25-210:1.

Third, Hallinan has shown no remorse and no contrition, and the Court was skeptical that he was now ready to accept a *734lengthy term of imprisonment as just punishment. Id. at 210:2-4.

Fourth, during the sentencing hearing, the Court found by a preponderance of the evidence that Hallinan obstructed justice in this case. Id. at 210:5-6. In particular, the Court overruled Hallinan's objection to a two-level enhancement for obstruction of justice pursuant to § 3C1.1 of the Sentencing Guidelines, finding that Hallinan had attempted to manipulate the legal system by hiring lawyers to obstruct justice in the Indiana Litigation and in this Court. This indicated to the Court that Hallinan was capable of attempting to corrupt the legal system.

Fifth, all of the property that Hallinan previously posted in order to secure his appearance at the execution of his sentence was forfeited to the Government on the date of Hallinan's sentencing, with the possible exception of the home owned by Hallinan and his spouse as tenants in the entirety. Id. at 210:7-8. Therefore, there are few assets which could secure a release on bond.

Sixth and finally, due to Hallinan's refusal to reveal his finances to the Probation Officer during the presentence investigation, the Court does not "really know the extent of the assets that he has and to what extent those assets could be secured and hidden and facilitate flight." Id. at 210:9-11. Although Hallinan is suffering from a serious medical condition, he is ambulatory, and there is no immediate medical emergency, and no reason to believe that Hallinan will not be able to afford and receive medical care in another country, particularly one that does not have an extradition treaty with the United States. Id. Hallinan has had many opportunities to demonstrate to the Court that he lacks the resources to flee the country and finance his medical treatment elsewhere, and he has chosen not to do so.8

On the basis of these facts, the Court found that Hallinan was a risk of flight. The Court then considered whether he should be allowed to self-report or be remanded immediately after sentencing. Hallinan pointed out the stressors accompanying the transfer from the Philadelphia Detention Center to FMC Butner, and the possible impact of the transfer on his medical condition.

In light of Hallinan's argument and upon consideration of 18 U.S.C. § 1342(c), the Court found that there were certain temporary, stringent conditions that could be imposed on Hallinan in order to secure his appearance for the execution of his sentence, notwithstanding his risk of flight. See ECF No. 507. These restrictions included committing Hallinan to the custody of his spouse, directing Pretrial Services to make daily unannounced home visits, requiring Hallinan to wear an ankle bracelet, and requiring Hallinan to post a $1,000,000 bond with ten percent cash. See id. Under these exigent circumstances, the Court allowed Hallinan to report in ten days.

*735Now, the Court is asked to extend these conditions, or add other conditions, for the duration of the appeal and even thereafter, until Hallinan's medical treatment by outside physicians is completed.9 This request will be denied because the Court concludes that each day Hallinan is allowed to remain on bail increases his risk of flight.

Although the Court was able to craft temporary, stringent conditions suitable for a short period of time to ensure Hallinan's self-reporting, it would not be appropriate for the Court to extend those temporary conditions for the duration of the time pending the resolution of Hallinan's appeal and, if the appeal fails, thereafter. Directing a probation officer to make unannounced daily visits to Hallinan's home for the duration of the appellate process-which could take longer than a year-would impose a tremendous burden on the resources of the United States Probation Office. Committing Hallinan to the custody of his spouse for the duration of the appeal would thrust upon a civilian third party, even one willing to accept it, the enormous, long-term responsibility of ensuring that Hallinan complies with his self-reporting obligation.

Given that Hallinan has failed to establish by clear and convincing evidence that he does not pose a risk of flight, and there are no long-term conditions that the Court could impose to secure his appearance that are appropriate to impose for the duration of the appeal pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1343(c), Hallinan has failed to satisfy the requirements of 18 U.S.C. § 1343(b). Therefore, the Court will deny Hallinan's motion for bail pending appeal.

As Hallinan has failed to satisfy the requirement that he establish by clear and convincing evidence that he is not a risk of flight, the Court need not reach the question of whether Hallinan's appeal raises substantial questions of law or fact likely to result in reversal, a new trial, or a sentence that does not include a term of imprisonment. However, even if the Court were to reach that question, the Court would find that Hallinan does not raise any substantial questions that are likely to result in reversal, a new trial, or a sentence that does not include a term of imprisonment.10

*736B. Medical Conditions

Hallinan separately argues that he cannot be incarcerated on July 30, 2018, because the Government has not met its burden to establish that the Bureau of Prisons can adequately treat his bladder cancer and prostate cancer. Hallinan does not cite any cases where a court has accepted this argument in connection with a motion for bail pending appeal pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3143(b), or any other statute governing the release of a criminal defendant on bail. Instead, Hallinan argues that he cannot be incarcerated because, given his medical conditions, incarcerating him would constitute cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the Eighth Amendment. See Hallinan Mot. Release Bail at 8, ECF No. 510 (quoting Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 97 S.Ct. 285, 50 L.Ed.2d 251 (1976) (explaining that the elementary principles underlying the Eighth Amendment "establish the government's obligation to provide medical care for those whom it is punishing by incarceration") ).11

The Court already considered and rejected this Eighth Amendment argument at sentencing, deciding that a sentence of incarceration was appropriate and would not violate the Eighth Amendment. Although the Court disagreed with Hallinan's contention that he could not be incarcerated at all due to his medical condition, the Court took Hallinan's medical condition into consideration in crafting the sentence and granted him both a downward departure and a downward variance from the applicable Sentencing Guidelines range based upon Hallinan's age and medical condition.

Although Hallinan frames his request for a stay of the execution of his sentence under the guise of a motion for release on bail pending appeal, it is essentially either a petition for reconsideration of Hallinan's sentence of imprisonment pursuant to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 35(a), or an anticipatory petition for a writ of habeas corpus seeking release from custody. In either case the arguments fail, because Hallinan does not assert a proper ground for a correction of his sentence pursuant to Rule 35(a),12 and he *737cannot file a petition for a writ of habeas corpus challenging his incarceration before he is in custody. See 28 U.S.C. § 2241, 28 U.S.C. § 2255(a).

Even if Hallinan's arguments that he should not be incarcerated at all pending completion of his medical treatment were properly before the Court now, the Court already considered and rejected them at sentencing.13

The Government's expert report described the Bureau of Prison's protocol for prisoners with long-term medical conditions, including prisoners undergoing chemotherapy for various forms of cancer.14 In particular, the report explains that FMC Butner "operates an intensive primary care management unit and utilizes contract physicians to provide in-house Cardiology, Hemotology, Oncology, and Chemotherapy specialty services." Letter of Janet Burns, ECF No. 497 (emphasis added). The report explained that prisoners are transported off-site for any treatments that are not available within the prison facilities themselves. The report summarized Hallinan's specific medical conditions, stating that the expert had reviewed all 128 pages of Hallinan's medical reports. The report closed by concluding that the Bureau of Prisons will be able to manage and treat Hallinan's specific medical conditions.

Further, at the sentencing hearing, a representative from the Bureau of Prisons testified that approximately 300 prisoners with active cancer treatments are held at FMC Butner. The expert witness also confirmed the statement in the expert report that if any other specialized medical care is needed that cannot be provided within FMC Butner, inmates are transported off-site to medical centers within the local community for treatment.

Hallinan attempted to contradict the Government's expert report and witness by presenting the testimony of one of his experts, who testified that there were some circumstances, such as staff shortages and lock-downs for security reasons, that may delay a prisoner's transportation to an off-site medical facility. Relying on this testimony in combination with his doctors' medical expert reports, which explained *738that Hallinan's treatment plan is complex and extensive and that any "missteps" may cost Hallinan his life, Hallinan argued that he could not be adequately treated by the Bureau of Prisons.

Upon consideration of both parties' expert reports and testimony, the Court ultimately concluded that Hallinan would be able to receive adequate cancer treatment while incarcerated at FMC Butner, including by transportation off-site for any additional specialized services that are not provided within FMC Butner itself. The Court explained that Hallinan's general assertions regarding safety concerns and lack of staffing within the Bureau of Prisons as a whole do not establish that the FMC Butner, in particular, will be unable to transport Hallinan to his medical appointments within an appropriate window of time such that Hallinan would be able to receive appropriate medical treatment.15

As the Court found at sentencing, upon consideration of all of the testimony and evidence introduced by Hallinan and the Government, the Government has met its burden to establish that the Bureau of Prisons can adequately treat Hallinan's medical conditions. Therefore, the Court will deny Hallinan's request for bail pending appeal on the basis of his medical condition.

IV. CONCLUSION

For the reasons stated above, the Court will deny Hallinan's emergency motion for bail pending appeal.

An appropriate order follows.

ORDER

AND NOW , this 25th day of July, 2018 , for the reasons set forth in the accompanying memorandum, it is hereby ORDERED that Defendant Charles M. Hallinan's Emergency Motion for Bail Pending Appeal (ECF No. 510) is DENIED.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendant Charles M. Hallinan shall report to an institution designated by the United States Bureau of Prisons by July 30, 2018 at 2:00 p.m.1

AND IT IS SO ORDERED.