U.S. v. Weatherspoon

Citation
United States v. Weatherspoon, 581 F.2d 595 (7th Cir. 1978) (full-text).

Factual Background
The defendant enrolled in her beauty school many times the number of VA students allowed. The defendant was charged with racketeering, mail fraud, and false statements.

Appellate Court Proceedings
The defendant objected to the admission of the government's computer printouts, claiming improper foundation. The court, in rejecting the defendant's claim, held that the printouts were computerized compilations of information from enrollment certification forms that had been submitted by the defendant and simply keyed onto computer tape. Moreover, the testimony of government employees demonstrated the computer system input processes; the accuracy of the printout to 2%; that the computer was tested for internal program errors on a monthly basis; and that the VA made, maintained, and relied on the printouts in the ordinary course of business.

Finally, the court noted that the defendant's lawyer had been allowed to inquire into the accuracy of the printouts.

Defendant's conviction was upheld.