WPC3 h z2Kg 7DXBssp5B$3PBThXEǡd9ڳ*1~lw>?4PabۤbE!Pbo o/|«b&kjuhN=暨:Z_B#Zip!%LFh7d: U}.i8`?+s@M'bɧ W \_y H7蹙SC(޷=uAN ȈF, O{e` cz1 bpG1gQdJ9[@Sqf0}Tl\E |iC?ѥ8~rmxʸ\5]5ủjC#jA)ĺVO/x }KW2f=ddIfFJa売G6:Oyc1# %o 0 Du 0GU: 0 :U8nTWN UN ^ w 4  . m0 EG fI aK _ Ng 1i 72 1u" 72 0c 1, 72 1 72l ^ UB b>>MF#' Bg-P "|(9*9*F6,%|.HP LaserJet 5/5M - Standard,,,,0X(#$  0  ($X:XXXX<6X9`("Courier NewTT(:2$ !XVXXX    =VXXdd=    0  <4 9Z+ Courier New <6X9`("Courier NewTTXXx6X@DQX@<6X9`(CourierTTXXw6X@QX@ vr Z6Times New Roman Regular6H2s L=1r?,}backup3|xUTABLE A (CEKQW]cioAutoList1A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.3#37=CIQYag1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)i)(;3$2#  0  .3  0  (CEKQW]cioAutoList2A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.(CEKQW]cioAutoList3A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.L:\JUDGES\Boudin\TEMPLATE\OPINIONS\ALDRICH.WPT<6X9`(*Courier 12pt10cpi- - C $XVXXX  =VXXdd=    2    _Venturapurchasedmaterialsforhisvariousconstruction  projectsfromtheUnitedStatesmainland.  $XVXXX  =VXXdd=    3    _VenturaobtainedthemoneyheusedtopayRiverabyinflating  theinvoiceshesenttothegovernmentinconnectionwithhis  governmentcontracts.  $XVXXX  =VXXdd=    4    _Inadditiontosettingupmeetingsbetweenthecontractors  andgovernmentofficials,Riverawouldalsocallofficialsto  expeditemattersforthecontractors,includingthepaymentof \ invoicesandtherelaxationofconstructionrequirements.  $XVXXX  =VXXdd=    5    __Ocasio_,whoby1999hadalreadybeenpayingRiveraona  regularbasisforherassistanceforseveralyears,explainedthat  hedidsobecause,afterhelefthisgovernmentposition,hedid \ nothaveinfluenceovergovernmentofficialsandshewielded 2 tremendousinfluence.Infact,hestatedthat"[_a]ny_Ԁphonecall X cominginfromherwasconstruedashavingthesupportof[the . Governor]...."_Ocasio_ԀlikenedRivera'spowerwithinthe   governmenttothatof"abulldozer...that[could]justtake   outanythingthatis[_i]n_Ԁitsway,"andhetestifiedthatshe `  helpedhimobtaingovernmentcontractsby"_mak[ing_]phonecallsto 6   [governmentofficials]tofacilitatetheprocess." d ] $XVXXX  =VXXdd=    7    _AlthoughthedistrictcourtfounditsignificantthatVentura  initiatedthemeetingthatresultedinthemonthlypaymentsto  Rivera,thatfactwasirrelevanttothecentralissueofwhether \ therewasampleevidenceforthejurytoconcludethatVentura 2 reasonablybelievedthathewouldsuffereconomiclossifhe X refusedtopayRivera.SeeRiveraMedina,845F.2dat14("The . factthat[thevictim]approached[theextorter]firstdoesnot   meanthatextortiondidnotoccur.").Thedistrictcourtalso   emphasizedthatVenturasufferednopersonallossasaresultof `  hisarrangementwithRiverabecauseheobtainedthemoneythathe 6   usedtopayRiverabyinflatingtheinvoiceshesenttothe  \  governmentinconnectionwithhisgovernmentcontracts.But,that  2  factalsohadnobearingonwhethertherewassufficientevidence   tosupportthefindingthatVenturapaidRiveratoavoidlosingthe   abilitytoobtaingovernmentpermits.Inaddition,wenotethatit d  isimmaterialthatRiveraneverexplicitlythreatenedVentura,see :  Bucci,839F.2dat828(holdingthatitisenoughifthevictim `  "understoodthedefendant'sconductasanimpliedthreat"),and 6 thatthetwohadafriendlyandevenforatimeintimate   relationship,seeUnitedStatesv.Rastelli,551F.2d902,905(2d  Cir.1977)("Thefactthatrelationsbetweenthevictimsandthe h extorterswereoftencordialisnotinconsistentwithextortion." > (internalquotationmarksomitted)). F $XVXXX  =VXXdd=    8    _SeeUnitedStatesv.Freeman,6F.3d586,593(9thCir.1993)  ("[_T]he_Ԁ_Hobbs_ԀActreachesanyonewhoactuallyexercisesofficial  powers,regardlessofwhetherthosepowerswereconferredby \ election,appointment,orsomeothermethod.").  $XVXXX  =VXXdd=    6    _Thedistrictcourtalsostatedthat,inlightofthe  government'sallegedfailuretodisclosethepleaagreement,itwas  "verytroubled"byanallegationthatthegovernmenthadfailedto \ discloseanotebookinwhichVenturapurportedlylistedillegal 2 paymentshehadmadetovariousgovernmentofficials.However,the X districtcourtdidnotbaseitsfindingofaBradyviolationon . thisallegation,andconsequently,weneednotaddressitto   resolvethisappeal.Nevertheless,wenotethateveniftherewere   evidencethatthenotebookexistedandthatthegovernmenthadit `  initspossession(andwehavebeenpresentedwithnone),that 6   evidencewouldnothavebeensufficienttosupportaBrady  \  violation,astheinformationallegedlycontainedinthenotebook  2  wascumulativeofthatwhichRiveraalreadypossessed.See_Conley_   v.UnitedStates,323F.3d7,30(1stCir.2003).  $XVXXX  =VXXdd=    1    _Accordingto18U.S.C.2(a),"Whoevercommitsanoffense  againsttheUnitedStatesoraids,abets,counsels,commands,  inducesorprocuresitscommission,ispunishableasaprincipal."  $XVXXX  =VXXdd=    9    _Indeed,hadRiveramadethecallsinherpersonalcapacity,  itisunlikelythatshewouldhavegottenthedesiredresults.   Governmentofficialsassumed"thatallthecallsthat[Rivera]made  ...wereonbehalfoftheGovernor." < $XVXXX  =VXXdd=    10    _"UnderBrady,thegovernmentisrequiredtoproduceto  defendantsexculpatoryandimpeachmentevidencethatisinits  custody,possession,andcontrol...."UnitedStatesv.Wall, \ 349F.3d18,22n.6(1stCir.2003)(internalquotationmarksand 2 citationomitted).  $XVXXX  =VXXdd=    11    _ThedistrictcourtsurmisedthatOcasioenteredintoaplea  agreementbecausehemetwithgovernmentprosecutorspriorto  pleadingguiltyandthegovernmentmovedforadownwarddeparture \  athissentencinghearing.But,Ocasioinsistedattrialthathe  hadnotenteredintoanysuchagreement,andthegovernment'stwo  trialprosecutors,aswellasanFBIagent,submittedaffidavitsto \ thatsameeffect.Thus,thedistrictcourt'sfindingthatOcasio 2 enteredintoapleaagreementwasentirelyatoddswiththeonly X evidencewhichwasintheformofswornstatementsthathadbeen . offeredonthesubject,andasaresult,itwasunjustified.See   MorenoMoralesv.UnitedStates,334F.3d140,146(1stCir.2003)   ("Fromtheevidencepresented,wecannotmaketheleapsnecessary `  tosupport[appellant's]conclusoryassumption[s]."). !XVXXX  _ TRY,3'X3' Letter 3' Letter3'T ? * ! X8XXXV X X8     UnitedStatesCourtofAppeals A;   FortheFirstCircuit UI A;XVXUI     `     h      p   A') ` dE< ` A   Nos.032544 K    041791 ! q @#UNITEDSTATES,    @%Appellant, y  @tt)v. %u  @MARIADELOSANGELESRIVERARANGEL,A/K/AANGIE, ! @<< Defendant,Appellee. } A') ` dE<(` A )y @` ` APPEALSFROMTHEUNITEDSTATESDISTRICTCOURT ^ @ FORTHEDISTRICTOFPUERTORICO   @pp[Hon.JuanM.PrezGimnez,U.S.DistrictJudge] f A') ` dE<` A b @'Before G   @@((Lynch,CircuitJudge,   Stahl,SeniorCircuitJudge, y! andHoward,CircuitJudge. O " A') ` dE<"` A "!%       KathleenA.Felton,Attorney,withwhomH.S.Garcia,United #' StatesAttorney,GuillermoGil,AssistantUnitedStatesAttorney, $( andMaritzaGonzalezdeMiranda,AssistantUnitedStatesAttorney, b% ) U.S.DepartmentofJustice,wereonbrief,forappellant. 8&!*   IgnacioFernndezdeLahongrais,withwhomEdgarVegaPabon '^"+ wasonbrief,forappellee. '4#, *'ddd Xdd Xdd X(#(#,( dd ,( dd ,( dd +  f*%/f*% % SI*&0 @38390@SFebruary8,2005 +&2  RHCv,'3" @38390 @ R(*&4  (  * ! |-(4? Ї    8 V XXdd8!*,X` XX* ` STAHL,SeniorCircuitJudge .AppelleeMariadelos  AngelesRiveraRangel("Rivera")usedherpositionasanexecutive x assistanttotheGovernorofPuertoRicotohelpfourcontractors $t JoseVenturaAsilis("Ventura"),AngelOcasioRamos("Ocasio"),   JoaquinArbona("Arbona"),andEdwinLoubriel("Loubriel")gain |  accesstogovernmentofficialsandobtainexpeditedtreatmentof ( x  theirgovernmentbusiness.ThecontractorspaidRiveraforher $  assistance.    ` Asaresultofthesearrangements,Riverawascharged ,|  withonecountofconspiracytointerferewithcommerceby ( extortioninducedbyfearofeconomicharmandundercolorof  officialright,inviolationof18U.S.C.1951("theHobbsAct"), 0 andonecountofaidingandabettingtheunderlyingoffense,in , violationoftheHobbsActand18U.S.C.2., #  1      ׀Riverawastried  beforeajuryandconvictedonbothcounts.Shethenmovedfora 4 judgmentofacquittaloranewtrial.Thedistrictcourtgranted 0 Riveraajudgmentofacquittaland,ifthatjudgmentwerereversed   onappeal,anewtrial.Thegovernmentnowappealsthoserulings. 8!" Wereverseandremandwiththeinstructionthatthejuryverdictbe "4$ reinstatedandforproceedingsconsistentwiththisopinion. $&  '8#*    I.Background     ` Wepresenttherelevantfactsinthelightmostfavorable x totheverdict.SeeUnitedStatesv.Llinas,373F.3d26,28(1st $t Cir.2004).Thefactsarederivedfromtestimonygivenduring   Rivera'strial. |   (83 ` In1992,Ventura,acontractorwhoprovidedservicesto ( x  thegovernmentofPuertoRico,# #  2      ׀metOcasio,whoatthattimewas $  theDeputyChiefofStafftotheGovernorofPuertoRico.Ocasio   toldVenturathatifheneededanyhelpwithhisbusinessdealings ,|  withthegovernment,Ocasiowouldbe"at[his]service." ( Thereafter,VenturawouldcallOcasiowheneverhehaddifficulty  obtaininggovernmentpermitsandOcasiowouldarrangemeetings 0 betweenVenturaandthosegovernmentofficialswhohadauthorityto , issuethepermitsVenturadesired.Inreturn,VenturapaidOcasio  $30,000to$35,000peryear.Thisarrangementcontinueduntil 4 Ocasiolefthisgovernmentpostin1995andsetupaprivate 0 consultingbusinessthatprovidedservicestothegovernmentof   PuertoRico.Atthatpoint,Venturaconcludedthat,tofurtherhis 8!" businessinterests,hewouldneedtheassistanceofanother "4$ governmentinsider. $&  ` Thus,in1996,actingonthesuggestionofLoubriel,a <&!( fellowcontractorandfriend,VenturasoughtoutRivera,an '8#* executiveassistanttotheGovernorofPuertoRico.Riveraoffered  tohelpVenturagainaccesstogovernmentofficialswithauthority \ toissuethepermitshisprojectsrequired.Onseveraloccasions X in1997,VenturaaskedforRivera'shelp,andsherespondedby   callinggovernmentofficialsandarrangingmeetingsbetweenthe `  officialsandVenturaoraskingtheofficials"totrytohelp[him]  \  out."GovernmentofficialswerereceptivetoRiverabecause,as   oneofficialexplained,"shewastheassistanttotheGovernor,. d  ..and[they]expect[ed]thatallthecallsthatshemade... `  wereonbehalfoftheGovernor."Initially,Riveramadenodemand   forpaymentfromVenturaforherassistance. h  ` Then,oneeveninginearly1998,VenturaranintoRivera d atasupermarketacrossthestreetfromhisofficeandinvitedher  backtohisoffice.Whilethere,RiveracomplainedtoVentura l "thatshehadtoomanyexpensesandthathersalarywasnever h enoughforhertobeabletomeet[herexpenses]."Riverasaidshe  hoped"somefriendscouldhelpherout."Venturatestifiedthathe p  interpretedRivera'sstatementsasademandthatshebepaidfor !l" hercontinuedassistance.Venturasaidthatheagreedtopay "$ Riverabetween$3,000and$5,000permonthbecausehe t$& ` 0 ` realizedthathavingreceivedaproposition  &p!( fromsomeonewhohadsomuchinfluenceandso &F") muchpower,todenyitwouldbeputtingat '#* riskalotof[his]abilitytogenerate (#+ business....[W]ithalltheinfluenceand x)$, powerthatshehad,shehadthepowertohelp N*%-  [him]andlikewiseshecould[have]cause[d $+t&. him]harmbecauseshe[had]accesstoallof  theofficesofthegovernment.$ #  3      ` x` x  ` _"m" ` Soonthereafter,VenturaandRiverabeganaromantic 2 relationship,whichlastedonlyafewmonths.Thatrelationship . hadnoimpactonVenturaandRivera's"business"arrangement.    ` Inearly1999,VenturametwithArbona,Loubriel,and 6   Ocasio.Atthattime,Riverawasindependentlyhelpingallfour  2  contractors.% #  4      ׀ArbonaexplainedtotheotherthreethatRiverahad   demandedthatshebepaid$6,000permonthforherassistance.The :  contractorseachagreedtopayRivera$1,500permonth.&2 #  5      ׀Ventura 6 lateraskedRiverawhetherhecoulddeduct$1,500fromtheamount  hehadpreviouslyagreedtopayhereachmonth.Riverarefused, >  andfromthenon,Venturapaidher$4,500to$6,500permonth. :  ` Asaresultoftheseactivities,Riverawaschargedunder   theHobbsActwithconspiracytointerferewithcommerceby \ extortioninducedbyfearofeconomicharmandundercolorof X officialright,aswellasaidingandabettingtheunderlying   offense.AfterajuryfoundRiveraguiltyonbothcounts,she `  filedamotionforajudgmentofacquittaland,inthealternative,  \  anewtrial.ThedistrictcourtawardedRiveraajudgmentof   acquittaland,alternatively,ifthatjudgmentwerereversedon d  appeal,anewtrial. `   ` Thedistrictcourtgrantedthejudgmentofacquittal   basedonitsconclusionthat,ontheevidenceproducedattrial, h Riveracouldnothavebeenfoundguiltyofthechargedcrimes,as d shecouldnothavebeenfoundtohavecommittedextortion.The  districtcourtconditionallyawardedRiveraanewtrialbecauseit l feltthatthegovernmenthadnotpresentedsufficientevidenceto h supporttheverdictandhadviolateditsobligationsunderBradyv.  Maryland,373U.S.83(1963),whichrequiresthatthegovernment p  discloseallevidenceinitspossessionthatisbothmaterialand !l" exculpatory. "$  ` TheBradyviolationwaspredicatedonthegovernment's t$& allegedfailuretodiscloseapleaagreementithadenteredinto  &p!( withOcasio.ThedistrictcourtreasonedthatOcasio,whopleaded '#* guiltyshortlybeforetrial,musthaveenteredintoaplea x)$, agreementbecausehemetwithgovernmentprosecutorspriorto $+t&. pleadingguiltyandthegovernmentmovedforadownwarddeparture  athissentencinghearing.Thedistrictcourtfoundtheexistence \ ofapleaagreementdespiteOcasio'sinsistenceattrialthathe X hadnotenteredintoanysuchagreement,andaffidavitsofthe   government'stwotrialprosecutorsandaFederalBureauof `  Investigation("FBI")agenttothatsameeffect.+ #  6        \   ` Thegovernmentnowseeksreviewofthegrantofthe   judgmentofacquittalandtheconditionalnewtrial. d    II.JudgmentofAcquittal  `  :4 ` Wereviewthegrantofamotionforjudgmentofacquittal ( denovo.SeeUnitedStatesv.Hernandez,146F.3d30,32(1stCir.  1998).Inreviewingsuchagrant,wemustconsider"allthe 0 evidence,directandcircumstantial,inthelightmostfavorableto , theprosecution,drawingallreasonableinferencesconsistentwith  theverdict,andavoidingcredibilityjudgments,todetermine 4 whetherarationaljurycouldhavefoundguiltbeyondareasonable 0 doubt."Llinas,373F.3dat30(internalquotationmarksomitted).  Solongas"theguiltyverdictfindssupportinaplausible \ renditionoftherecord,"itmustbeallowedtostand(andthe X acquittalmustbereversed).UnitedStatesv.RiveraRuiz,244   F.3d263,266(1stCir.2001)(internalquotationmarksomitted). `   ` Thedistrictcourtawardedthejudgmentofacquittal  \  becauseitconcludedthat,ontheevidencepresentedattrial,no   rationaljurycouldhavefoundRiveraguiltyofextortioneither d  throughfearofeconomiclossorundercolorofofficialright.We `  disagree;theevidencewassufficienttoproveextortionunderboth   theories. h  ` UndertheHobbsAct,"Whoeverinanywayordegree d obstructs,delays,oraffectscommerceorthemovementofany  articleorcommodityincommerce,by...extortionorattemptsor l conspiressotodo...shallbe[punished]."18U.S.C. h 1951(a)."[T]hegovernmentneedonlyshowarealisticprobability  ofademinimiseffectoninterstatecommerce[]inordertobring p  extortionwithinthereachoftheHobbsAct."UnitedStatesv. !l" RiveraMedina,845F.2d12,15(1stCir.1988);seeUnitedStates "$ v.Hathaway,534F.2d386,396(1stCir.1976)("TheHobbsAct.. t$& .has...beenheldtoreacheventhoseeffectswhicharemerely  &p!( potentialorsubtle."(internalquotationmarksandcitation '#* omitted)).Extortionisdefinedas"theobtainingofpropertyfrom x)$, another,withhisconsent,inducedbywrongfuluseof...fear, $+t&. orundercolorofofficialright."18U.S.C.1951(b)(2)."Fear"  encompasses"fearofeconomicloss,...includingthepossibility \ oflostbusinessopportunities."UnitedStatesv.Bucci,839F.2d X 825,82728(1stCir.1988)(internalquotationmarksandcitation   omitted).Thus,anindividualcommitsextortionifheobtains `  propertyfromanother,withtheother'sconsent,eitherthrough  \  fearofeconomiclossorundercolorofofficialright.   "3"  3bA2  A  .3  0 `   ExtortionThroughFearofEconomicLoss3bAA݌d ` (#` (# Ќ   ` Wefirstaddresswhethertherewassufficientevidenceto `  proveextortionthroughfearofeconomicloss.Toestablish   extortionthroughfearofeconomicloss,thegovernmentmust"show h thatthevictimbelievedthateconomiclosswouldresultfromhis d ...failuretocomplywiththeallegedextortionist'sterms,and  thatthecircumstances...renderedthatfearreasonable."Id. l at828;seeUnitedStatesv.Capo,817F.2d947,951(2dCir.1987) h (enbanc)("[T]heproofneedestablishthatthevictimreasonably  believed:first,thatthedefendanthadthepowertoharmthe p  victim,andsecond,thatthedefendantwouldexploitthatpowerto !l" thevictim'sdetriment."(emphasisinoriginal)).Significantly, "$ thelossfearedmustbe"aparticulareconomicloss,notmerelythe t$& lossofapotentialbenefit."UnitedStatesv.Edwards,303F.3d  &p!( 606,635(5thCir.2002);seeUnitedStatesv.Garcia,907F.2d '#* 380,385(2dCir.1990)(reversinganextortionconvictionwhere x)$, thejurywaspermittedtoconsiderthetheoryoffearofeconomic $+t&. lossbecausetheevidence"didnotestablishthatthecompanyacted  outoffearthatwithoutthesepaymentsitwouldloseexisting \ contractsorevenopportunitiestowhichitwaslegallyentitled"). X  ` WethinkthattheevidenceregardingVenturaalonewas   sufficienttoestablishextortioninducedbyfearofeconomicloss. `  TherewasampleevidencethatVenturafearedthathewouldsuffer  \  economiclossifhefailedtopayRivera.Venturatestifiedthat   hebeganpayingRivera$3,000to$5,000permonthin1998because d  hefearedthatifhedidnot,he"wouldbeputtingatriskalotof `  [his]abilitytogeneratebusiness."Venturabelievedthat"with   alltheinfluenceandpowerthat[Rivera]had,shehadthepowerto h help[him]andlikewiseshecould[have]cause[dhim]harm."The d factthatVenturareluctantlyagreedtopayRiveraanadditional  $1,500permonthin1999furthersupportsthefindingthatVentura l actedoutofafearofeconomiclossandthatthiswas"nota h situation...inwhich[Ventura]w[as]merelyattemptingto  obtainpreferentialaccessandthoughtthat,evenwithoutthe p  payments,[he]wouldhaveafairopportunityto[obtainpermits]." !l" Edwards,303F.3dat636;compareUnitedStatesv.Collins,78F.3d "$ 1021,1030(6thCir.1996)("[T]heevidenceinthiscasewas t$& sufficienttoestablishthat[thevictims]actedoutoffearthat  &p!( withoutthepaymentstheycouldlosetheopportunitytocompetefor '#* governmentcontractsonalevelplayingfield....Theypaidout x)$, ofafearthatunlesstheypaidmoneytoDefendant...,they $+t&. wouldforfeitanypotentialbusinessopportunitywiththe  [state]."),withCapo,817F.2dat95254(reversingafindingof \ extortionthroughfearofeconomiclossbecausethevictimsdidnot X actoutoffearoftheharmthedefendantsmightinflictuponthem   iftheyrefusedtopay;rather,theywereseekingtosecurethe `  defendants'assistancetoimprovetheirchancesofobtainingjobs).  \  And,givenRivera'saccessto,andinfluenceover,theofficials   whodecidedwhethertograntthepermitsVenturaneeded,wecannot d  saythatVentura'sfearwasunreasonable.( #  7       `  "3"  3oS2  B  .3  0 `   ExtortionUnderColorofOfficialRight3oSS݌ ` (#` (# Ќ   ` Weturnnowtotheissueofwhethertheevidencewas h sufficienttoproveextortionundercolorofofficialright.To d proveextortionundercolorofofficialright,"theGovernmentneed  onlyshowthatapublicofficialhasobtainedapaymenttowhichhe \ wasnotentitled,knowingthatthepaymentwasmadeinreturnfor X officialacts."Evansv.UnitedStates,504U.S.255,268(1992);   seeUnitedStatesv.Cianci,378F.3d71,99(1stCir.2004). `   ` Thejurycouldhavefoundthattheevidencepresented  \  concerningVenturawasitselfsufficienttoestablishextortion   undercolorofofficialright.ThereisnodisputethatRiverawas d  apublicofficial) #  8      ׀whoobtainedpaymentstowhichshewasnot `  entitledwiththeunderstandingthatthepaymentsweremadein   returnforherassistingVenturawithhisgovernmentbusiness,that h is,inreturnforhercallinggovernmentofficialsinherofficial d capacityandrequestingthattheymeetwithVenturaor"trytohelp  [him]out."However,Riveraargues,andthedistrictcourt l implicitlyfound,thatthosecallswerenot"officialacts"and, h thus,shecouldnothavecommittedextortionundercolorof  officialright.Wedisagree.Riveramadethecallsfromher p  governmentofficeandinherofficialcapacityasexecutive !l" assistanttotheGovernorofPuertoRico,andtherefore,thecalls "$ wereofficialacts.- #  9      ׀BecauseRiverawaspaidtouseherofficial t$& powerstofurtherVentura'sinterests,thejurycouldreasonably  havefoundherguiltyofextortionundercolorofofficialright. \ SeeUnitedStatesv.Freeman,6F.3d586,59394(9thCir.1993) X ("Becausetheevidencedemonstratesthat[defendant]possessedand   misusedofficialpowersinconnectionwithhis[official]position `  ...,weholdthatarationaltrieroffactcouldhavefoundthe  \  essentialelementsofthecrimeofofficialrightextortionbeyond   areasonabledoubt."(internalquotationmarksandalteration d  omitted));UnitedStatesv.Loftus,992F.2d793,796(8thCir. `  1993)("Inthiscase,weconsiderwhether[defendant]promisedto   usehisofficialposition...toservethebribegiver's h interests."). d  ` WenotethatitisirrelevantthatRiveralacked(and  thatVenturaknewshelacked)theultimateauthoritytoissue l permitsorotherwiseaffecthisgovernmentbusiness;Rivera,inher h officialcapacity,hadthepowertofacilitateVentura'sgovernment  business,anditwasthatpowerthatVenturapaidhertoexercise. p  Loftus,992F.2dat796("Actualauthorityovertheendresult.. !l" .isnotcontrollingif[defendant],throughhisofficialposition, "$ hadinfluenceandauthorityoverameanstothatend."). t$& Furthermore,therecanbenoquestionthatRivera'sactionshadthe  &p!( requisite"realisticprobabilityofademinimiseffecton '#* interstatecommerce"toimplicatetheHobbsAct.RiveraMedina,  845F.2dat15.Venturapurchasedmaterialsforhisconstruction \ projectsfromthemainlandUnitedStates,anditwasreasonablefor X himtoconcludethathadhenotpaidRivera,shemayhaveusedher   influencetocausehisbusinesstosuffer.Rivera'sactionsthus `  hada"realisticprobability"ofaffectinginterstatecommerce  \  because,hadVenturarefusedtopay,Riveramayhavecausedhis   businesstosufferand,insodoing,indirectlycausedhimto d  purchasefewermaterialsfromthemainlandUnitedStates.See `  UnitedStatesv.Jarabek,726F.2d889,901(1stCir.1984)(noting   "thattherequisiteinterstatecommercenexuscouldbeestablished h ifthejuryfoundthat,unlessthevictimgaveintothe d extortionatedemands,thevictim'sbusinessmighthavebeen  hinderedordestroyed,therebyhaltingorreducinginterstate l movementofmaterialtothevictim'sbusiness."). h  ` Becausetherewassufficientevidencetoproveextortion  boththroughfearofeconomicharmandundercolorofofficial p  right,wefindthatthedistrictcourterredingrantingRivera's !l" motionforajudgmentofacquittal. "$    III.ConditionalNewTrial  t$& i ` Havingdeterminedthatthedistrictcourterredin <&!( grantingRivera'smotionforajudgmentofacquittal,wenow '8#* considerwhetheritalsoerredinconditionallyawardingRiveraa )$, newtrial.Thedistrictcourtgrantedanewtrialbasedonits @+&. beliefthattheevidencepresentedtothejurywasinsufficientto  supportRivera'sconvictionsandthegovernmentviolatedBradyv. \ Maryland,373U.S.83(1963),byfailingtoturnovertoRivera X impeachmentevidencethatwasinitspossession./ #  10      ׀Adistrictcourt   mayawardanewtrialpursuanttothegovernment'sfailuretomeet `  itsdisclosureobligationsunderBradyifthedefendant  \  demonstratesthat    0 ` (1)theevidenceatissueismaterialand d  favorabletotheaccused;(2)theevidencewas :  suppressedbytheprosecution;and(3)[he] `  wasprejudicedbythesuppressioninthat 6 thereisareasonableprobabilitythat,had   theevidencebeendisclosedtothedefense,  theresultoftheproceedingwouldhavebeen h different.>` x` x   n.nUnitedStatesv.Conley,249F.3d38,45(1stCir.2001)(internal : quotationmarksomitted).We"reviewadistrictcourt'sdecision  onamotionforanewtrial...formanifestabuseof B discretion."Id.at44(citationomitted). >  ` Thereare,however,"definitelimitsuponadistrict  court'srighttoupsetajuryverdict."UnitedStatesv.Rothrock, F ! 806F.2d318,322(1stCir.1986).Adistrictcourt"judgeisnot !B# athirteenthjurorwhomaysetasideaverdictmerelybecausehe #% wouldhavereachedadifferentresult."Id.Thus,wheretheaward J% ' of"anewtrialispredicatedonthedistrictcourt'sevaluationof  theweightoftheevidenceratherthanitsconcernabouttheeffect \ ofprejudicialactsthatmayhaveresultedinanunfairtrial,.. X .it[mustbe]quiteclearthatthejuryhasreachedaseriously   erroneousresult."Id.(internalquotationmarksandcitation `  omitted).  \   ` Wefirstreviewtheproprietyofthedistrictcourt's   grantofanewtrialpursuanttoitsbeliefthattheevidencewas d  insufficienttosupporttheverdict.Wehavealreadydetermined `  thattherewasampleevidencetosupporttheverdict.Therefore,   becauseitisnot"clearthatthejury...reachedaseriously h erroneousresult,"id.(internalquotationmarksomitted),wefind d thatthedistrictcourtmanifestlyabuseditsdiscretionin  awardingRiveraanewtrial. l  ` Wenextaddresswhetherthedistrictcourtwasjustified h inawardingRiveraanewtrialbasedonthegovernment'salleged  failuretomeetitsobligationsunderBrady,thatis,itsalleged p  failuretodisclosethatithadenteredintoapleaagreementwith !l" Ocasio.Thegrantofanewtrialonthisgroundwasunjustified. "$ Eveniftherewerenoquestionastotheexistenceoftheplea t$& agreement(andthereis,infact,aseriousquestiononthat  &p!( issue),0 #  11      ׀wethinkthatitwasamanifestabuseofdiscretionto '#* findthattherewasareasonableprobabilitythatRiverawouldhave  beenacquittedhadtheagreementbeendisclosed.SeeConley,249 \ F.3dat45(notingthat"whereadefendantclaimsthat... X evidenceshouldhavebeenproducedunderBrady[,]...the   defendantmustestablishthat...hadtheevidencebeendisclosed `  ...,theresultoftheproceedingwouldhavebeendifferent"  \  (internalquotationmarksomitted)).Thisisbecauseevenifthe   juryhadignoredallevidencepertainingtoOcasio,therewasstill d  ampleevidencerelatingtoRivera'srelationshipwithVenturato `  convict.     ` Reversedandremandedwiththeinstructionthatthejury d verdictbereinstatedandforproceedingsconsistentwiththis , opinion.d