United States v. Petix (1:15-cr-00227)

Background

    This case is important because it's the first time a Federal Magistrate judge wrote an opinion on whether 18 U.S.C. ยง 1960 is money or not. The document is not binding since the judge never entered it on evidence and force Petix to take the plea.

    Two cases have used this logic, one unsuccessfully, US v. Mansy, and one that became moot when the US dropped the charges, US v. Costanzo.
    A third case, US v. Lord, Randall Lord had already plead guilty but wanted to change his plea to not guilty and argue on the basis of the Petix report. That case is on appeal.

Documents

Departement of Justice Press Release