Brief for National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers as Amicus Curiae in Support of Petitioners (in support of petition for writ of certiorari).

Argument: The Second Circuit’s interpretations of “property” and “thing of value” violate this Court’s precedents. Deeming regulatory information “confidential” does not give the government a property interest in that information. Confidential information about regulatory plans is not “a thing of value” under Section 641. The Second Circuit’s interpretations of “property” and “thing of value” criminalize core First Amendment activity.

Brief for Amicus Curiae National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in Support of Petition for Rehearing or Rehearing En Banc.

Argument: Designating information as confidential is not enough to make it “property” in the government’s hands. This Court should not expand Section 641 and provide the government with an all-purpose tool for prosecuting leaks.

Brief for Amicus Curiae National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (“NACDL”) in Support of Defendants-Appellants and Reversal

Argument: Confidential government information is not “property” for purposes of wire fraud and Title 18 securities fraud. Wire fraud and Title 18 securities fraud protect a victim’s property, not regulatory, rights. CMS does not have a property interest in information regarding a regulatory decision. Confidential government information is not a “thing of value” or “property” for purposes of Section 641. Congress has developed a measured, deliberate, and tailored regime for controlling government information. Expanding Section 641 to criminalize virtually any unauthorized disclosure of confidential information would vitiate Congress’s measured, deliberate, and tailored regime for controlling government information. The prosecution’s interpretation of “property” and “thing of value” criminalize core First Amendment activity.

NACDL Board member Barry Pollack's written statement to the House Judiciary Committee regarding federal criminal fraud laws.