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Home Court filings USA v. Ayvazyan et al United States v. Artur Ayvazyan et al. — C.D. Cal., No. 2:20-cr-00579-SVW Proposed Jury Instructions filed by Defendant Richard Ayvazyan — USA v. Ayvazyan et al. (Dkt. 372, C.D. Cal.)

Court filing

Proposed Jury Instructions filed by Defendant Richard Ayvazyan — USA v. Ayvazyan et al. (Dkt. 372, C.D. Cal.)

Filed May 27, 2021 in USA v. Ayvazyan et al.; one of 233 filings from this case.

Record facts

CourtU.S. District Court for the Central District of California
Filed2021-05-27

U.S. District Court for the Central District of California · No. 2:20-cr-00579-SVW · Doc. 372 · 2021-05-27 · Docket on CourtListener

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DEFENDANTS’ JOINTLY PROPOSED JURY INSTRUCTIONS 
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Ashwin J. Ram (SBN 227513) 
aram@steptoe.com 
Michael A. Keough (SBN 327037) 
mkeough@steptoe.com 
Nicholas P. Silverman (pro hac vice) 
nsilverman@steptoe.com 
Meghan Newcomer (pro hac vice) 
STEPTOE & JOHNSON LLP 
633 West Fifth Street, Suite 1900 
Los Angeles, CA 90071 
Telephone: (213) 439-9400 
Facsimile: (213) 439-9599 
 
Counsel for Defendant Richard Ayvazyan 
 
John L. Littrell (SBN 221601) 
jlittrell@bklwlaw.com  
Ryan V. Fraser (SBN 272196) 
rfraser@bklwlaw.com  
BIENERT KATZMAN LITTRELL WILLIAMS LLP 
601 W. 5th Street, Suite 720 
Los Angeles, CA 90071 
Telephone: (213) 528-3400 
Facsimile: (949) 369-3701 
 
Counsel for Defendant Marietta Terabelian 
 
[ADDITIONAL DEFENDANTS ON NEXT PAGE] 
 
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 
FOR THE CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA  
    
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,  
Plaintiff, 
 
 
v. 
 
 
RICHARD AYVAZYAN,  
et al., 
 
 
Defendants. 
 
Case No.  2:20-cr-579-SVW 
 
Hon. Stephen V. Wilson   
 
DEFENDANT’S NOTICE OF 
APPLICATION AND APPLICATION 
FOR THE COURT TO ADOPT 
DEFENDANTS’ JOINTLY 
PROPOSED JURY INSTRUCTIONS  
 
 
Trial Date: June 15, 2021  
 
 
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Thomas A. Mesereau Jr. (SBN 91182) 
mesereau@mesereaulaw.com 
MESEREAU LAW GROUP, P.C. 
10100 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 300 
Los Angeles, CA 90067 
Telephone: (310) 651-9960 
 
Jennifer J. Wirsching (SBN 263141) 
wirschinglaw@outlook.com 
ATTORNEY AT LAW 
1935 Alpha Rd, Suite 216 
Glendale, CA 91208 
Telephone: (424) 902-9280 
 
Counsel for Defendant Artur Ayvazyan 
 
Fred G. Minassian (SBN 170974) 
fgminassian@yahoo.com  
LAW OFFICES OF FRED G. MINASSIAN, INC. 
101 N. Brand Ave, Suite 1970  
Glendale, CA 91203  
Telephone: (818) 240-2444 
 
Counsel for Defendant Tamara Dadyan 
 
John Hanusz (SBN 277367) 
john@hanuszlaw.com 
HANUSZ LAW, PC 
800 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 1050 
Los Angeles, CA 90017-2672 
Telephone: (213) 204-4200 
 
Counsel for Defendant Manuk Grigoryan 
 
Peter Johnson (SBN 252542) 
peter@peterjohnsonlaw.com 
LAW OFFICE OF PETER JOHNSON 
409 North Pacific Coast Hwy, 651 
Redondo Beach, California 90277 
Telephone: (310) 295-1785 
 
Counsel for Vahe Dadyan 
 
 
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NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR THE COURT TO ADOPT DEFENDANTS’ 
JOINTLY PROPOSED JURY INSTRUCTIONS 
TO THE COURT, ALL PARTIES, AND THEIR COUNSEL OF RECORD: 
 
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that on Monday, June 14, 2021 or as soon as this 
counsel may be heard in Courtroom 10A of this Court at 350 W. 1st Street, 10th Floor, 
Los Angeles, CA 90012, Defendants Richard Ayvazyan, Marietta Terabelian, Artur 
Ayvazyan, Tamara Dadyan, Manuk Grigoryan, and Vahe Dadyan, through undersigned 
counsel, will move the Court to adopt the Defendants proposed jury instructions.  
 
This application is based on this notice, the accompanying proposed jury 
instructions, any reply that the Defendants may make, such other evidence and 
arguments as may be presented at or prior to the hearing, and all records and files in 
this action. 
 
Dated:   May 27, 2021 
 
 
Respectfully submitted, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Ashwin J. Ram  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ashwin J. Ram (SBN 227513) 
aram@steptoe.com 
Michael A. Keough (SBN 327037) 
mkeough@steptoe.com 
Nicholas P. Silverman (pro hac vice) 
nsilverman@steptoe.com 
Meghan L. Newcomer (pro hac vice) 
mnewcomer@steptoe.com 
STEPTOE & JOHNSON LLP 
633 West Fifth Street, Suite 1900 
Los Angeles, CA 90071 
Telephone: (213) 439-9400 
Facsimile: (213) 439-9599 
 
Counsel for Defendant Richard Ayvazyan 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
[SIGNATURES CONTINUE  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ON NEXT PAGE] 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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/s/ Ryan V. Fraser  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
John L. Littrell (SBN 221601) 
jlittrell@bklwlaw.com  
Ryan V. Fraser (SBN 272196) 
rfraser@bklwlaw.com  
BIENERT KATZMAN LITTRELL 
WILLIAMS LLP 
601 W. 5th Street, Suite 720 
Los Angeles, CA 90071 
Telephone: (213) 528-3400 
Facsimile: (949) 369-3701 
 
Counsel for Defendant Marietta 
Terabelian 
 
/s/ Thomas A. Mesereau  
 
 
Thomas A. Mesereau Jr. (SBN 91182) 
mesereau@mesereaulaw.com 
MESEREAU LAW GROUP, P.C. 
10100 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 300 
Los Angeles, CA 90067 
Telephone: (310) 651-9960 
 
Jennifer J. Wirsching (SBN 263141) 
wirschinglaw@outlook.com 
ATTORNEY AT LAW 
1935 Alpha Rd, Suite 216 
Glendale, CA 91208 
Telephone: (424) 902-9280 
 
Counsel for Defendant Artur Ayvazyan 
 
/s/ Fred G. Minassian 
 
 
Fred G. Minassian (SBN 170974) 
fgminassian@yahoo.com  
LAW OFFICES OF FRED G. 
MINASSIAN, INC. 
101 N. Brand Ave, Suite 1970  
Glendale, CA 91203  
Telephone: (818) 240-2444 
 
Counsel for Defendant Tamara Dadyan 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
[SIGNATURES CONTINUE  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ON NEXT PAGE] 
 
 
 
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/s/ John Hanusz 
 
 
 
John Hanusz (SBN 277367) 
john@hanuszlaw.com 
HANUSZ LAW, PC 
800 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 1050 
Los Angeles, CA 90017-2672 
Telephone: (213) 204-4200 
 
Counsel for Defendant Manuk Grigoryan 
 
/s/ Peter Johnson  
 
 
Peter Johnson (SBN 252542) 
peter@peterjohnsonlaw.com 
LAW OFFICE OF PETER JOHNSON 
409 North Pacific Coast Hwy, 651 
Redondo Beach, California 90277 
Telephone: (310) 295-1785 
 
Counsel for Vahe Dadyan 
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APPLICATION 
In accordance with this Court’s directive at the May 21, 2021 hearing, 
Defendants Richard Ayvazyan, Marietta Terabelian, Artur Ayvazyan, Tamara Dadyan, 
Manuk Grigoryan, and Vahe Dadyan hereby submit their proposed jury instructions.  
The defendants worked in good faith with the government, including meeting and 
conferring with the government for over two hours, to attempt to reach agreement on 
proposed instructions.  However, without the benefit of having seen the government’s 
exhibit lists and witness lists, the defendants were unable to reach agreement with the 
government on all proposed instructions. Accordingly, the defendants worked in 
concert to submit only one set of jury instructions on behalf of the defendants, and 
respectfully request that the Court charge the jury using the following instructions at 
trial. 
 
 
 
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COURT’S INSTRUCTION NO. ___ 
DEFENDANTS’ JOINTLY PROPOSED INSTRUCTION NO. 1 
(Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Bank Fraud – Elements) 
 
All defendants are charged in Count 1 of the indictment with conspiring to commit 
(a) wire fraud, in violation of Section 1343 of Title 18 of the United States Code; and (b) 
bank fraud, in violation of Section 1344(2) of Title 18 of the United States Code. In order 
for a defendant to be found guilty of Count 1, the government must prove each of the 
following elements beyond a reasonable doubt. 
First, beginning on or about March 2020, and continuing to at least August 2020, 
there was an agreement between two or more persons to commit wire fraud or bank fraud 
as charged in Count 1 of the indictment. 
Second, the defendant became a member of the conspiracy knowing of every 
element of at least one of its objects—wire fraud or bank fraud—and intending to help 
accomplish it. (The elements of wire fraud and bank fraud are listed below.) 
 
What Is a Conspiracy, and How Does One Become a Member? 
A conspiracy is a kind of criminal partnership—an agreement of two or more 
persons to commit one or more crimes. The crime of conspiracy is the agreement to do 
something unlawful; it does not matter whether the crime agreed upon was committed.  
For a conspiracy to have existed, it is not necessary that the conspirators made a 
formal agreement or that they agreed on every detail of the conspiracy. It is not enough, 
however, that they simply met, discussed matters of common interest, acted in similar 
ways, or perhaps helped one another.  
One becomes a member of a conspiracy by willfully participating in the unlawful 
plan with the intent to advance or further some object or purpose of the conspiracy, even 
though the person does not have full knowledge of all the details of the conspiracy. 
Furthermore, one who willfully joins an existing conspiracy is as responsible for it as the 
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originators. On the other hand, one who has no knowledge of a conspiracy, but happens 
to act in a way which furthers an object or purpose of the conspiracy, does not thereby 
become a conspirator. Similarly, a person does not become a conspirator merely by 
associating with one or more persons who are conspirators, nor merely by knowing that 
a conspiracy exists.  
 
What Is Wire Fraud? 
The first element of wire fraud is that the defendant participated in, devised, or 
intended to devise a scheme or plan to defraud, or a scheme or plan for obtaining money 
or property by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, or promises, 
knowing of that object and intending to help accomplish it.  
The second element of wire fraud is that the statements to be made as part of the 
scheme would be material; that is, they would have a natural tendency to influence, or 
would be capable of influencing, a person to part with money or property. 
The third element of wire fraud is that the defendant knew and intended that action 
be taken with the intent to defraud, that is, the intent to deceive and cheat. 
And the fourth element of wire fraud is that the defendant knew and intended that 
an interstate wire communication be used to carry out or attempt to carry out an essential 
part of the scheme. 
 
A wiring is caused when one knows that a wire will be used in the ordinary course 
of business or when one can reasonably foresee such use. 
It need not have been reasonably foreseeable to the defendant that the wire 
communication would be interstate in nature. Rather, it must have been reasonably 
foreseeable to the defendant that some wire communication would occur in furtherance 
of the scheme. 
 
 
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What Is Bank Fraud? 
The first element of bank fraud is that the defendant joined a scheme or plan to 
obtain money or property from Lender A, B, C, D, E, G, or H by making false statements 
or promises, knowing of that object, and intending to help accomplish it. 
The second element of bank fraud is that the defendant knew that the statements 
or promises were or would be false. 
The third element of bank fraud is that the defendant knew that the statements or 
promises were or would be material; that is, they had or would have a natural tendency 
to influence, or were or would be capable of influencing, a financial institution to part 
with money or property. 
The fourth element of bank fraud is that the defendant knew and intended that 
action be taken with the intent to defraud.  
And the fifth element of bank fraud is that the defendant knew that the Lender to 
be defrauded was federally insured. 
 
Unanimity Requirements 
For a defendant to be found guilty of Count 1, you must find beyond a reasonable 
doubt that there was a plan to commit at least one object of the alleged conspiracy – wire 
fraud or bank fraud – with all of you agreeing beyond a reasonable doubt as to which 
object – wire fraud, bank fraud, or both – and all of you agreeing beyond a reasonable 
doubt that the defendant knowingly and willfully joined the conspiracy to accomplish 
such object(s).  
 
Supporting Authorities 
Ninth Circuit Manual of Model Criminal Jury Instructions 8.20, 8.124, 8.127 
(online versions of May 25, 2021) (modified to reflect criminal objects charged in Count 
1); United States v. Lapier, 796 F.3d 1090 (9th Cir. 2015) (failure to give specific 
unanimity instruction was plain error because half of jury could have found defendant 
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guilty of joining one conspiracy while other half of jury could have found defendant 
guilty of joining second conspiracy); United States v. Pomponio, 429 U.S. 10, 12 (1976) 
(willfulness is the “intentional violation of a known legal duty”). 
 
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COURT’S INSTRUCTION NO. __ 
DEFENDANTS’ JOINTLY PROPOSED INSTRUCTION NO. 2 
(Count 1 – Multiple Conspiracies – Defense) 
 
Count 1 of the indictment alleges a single conspiracy to commit wire fraud and 
bank fraud.  You must decide whether the single conspiracy to commit wire fraud and 
bank fraud charged in Count 1 of the indictment existed, and, if it did, who at least 
some of its members were.  If you find that the single conspiracy to commit wire fraud 
and bank fraud charged in Count 1 did not exist, then you must return a not guilty 
verdict, even though you may find that some other conspiracy existed.  For example, if 
you find that Count 1 concerns two or more conspiracies, you must find the defendants 
not guilty of the single conspiracy alleged in Count 1.  Similarly, if you find that any 
defendant was not a member of the conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud 
charged in Count 1, then you must find that defendant not guilty, even though that 
defendant may have been a member of some other conspiracy. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Supporting Authorities 
Model Crim. Jury Instr. 9th Cir. 8.22 (2021) (modified to reflect the charges in the 
indictment). 
 
 
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COURT’S INSTRUCTION NO. __ 
DEFENDANTS’ JOINTLY PROPOSED INSTRUCTION NO. 3 
(Conspiracy – Willfulness Defined) 
To find a defendant guilty of conspiracy as charged in the indictment, you must be 
satisfied that the government has proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant 
knowingly and willfully entered into the conspiracy, that is, that the defendant agreed to 
take part in the conspiracy with knowledge of its unlawful purpose and in furtherance of 
its unlawful objective.  To act willfully means to act with knowledge that one’s conduct 
is unlawful and with the intent to do something the law forbids, that is to say with the 
bad purpose to disobey or disregard the law.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Supporting Authorities 
United States v. Pomponio, 429 U.S. 10, 12 (1976) (willfulness is the “intentional 
violation of a known legal duty”). 
 
 
 
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COURT’S INSTRUCTION NO. __ 
DEFENDANTS’ JOINTLY PROPOSED INSTRUCTION NO. 4 
(Wire Fraud) 
Defendants are charged in Counts 2 through 12 of the indictment with wire 
fraud, in violation of Section 1343 of Title 18 of the United States Code.  In order for 
any defendant to be found guilty of wire fraud in violation of Section 1343 of Title 18 
of the United States Code, the government must prove each of the following elements 
beyond a reasonable doubt as to that defendant:  
 
First, the defendant knowingly participated in or devised a scheme or plan to 
defraud, or a scheme or plan for obtaining money or property by means of false or 
fraudulent pretenses, representations, or promises, knowing of that object and intending 
to help accomplish it.  
Second, the statements to be made as part of the scheme would be material; that 
is, they would have a natural tendency to influence, or would be capable of influencing, 
a person to part with money or property. 
Third, the defendant knew and intended that action be taken with the intent to 
defraud, that is, the intent to deceive and cheat. 
Fourth, the defendant knew and intended that an interstate wire communication be 
used to carry out or attempt to carry out an essential part of the scheme. 
 
A wiring is caused when one knows that a wire will be used in the ordinary course 
of business or when one can reasonably foresee such use. 
 
It need not have been reasonably foreseeable to the defendant that the wire 
communication would be interstate in nature. Rather, it must have been reasonably 
foreseeable to the defendant that some wire communication would occur in furtherance 
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of the scheme, and an interstate wire communication must have actually occurred as 
charged in the applicable wire fraud count. 
 
Supporting Authorities 
Ninth Circuit Manual of Model Criminal Jury Instructions 8.124 (online versions 
of May 25, 2021) (modified to reflect the lack of evidence of half-truths or omissions); 
United States v. Miller, 953 F.3d 1095, 1101–03 (9th Cir. 2020) (wire fraud requires the 
intent to “deceive and cheat”) (emphasis in original). 
 
 
 
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COURT’S INSTRUCTION NO. __ 
DEFENDANTS’ JOINTLY PROPOSED INSTRUCTION NO. 5 
(Bank Fraud) 
Defendants are charged in Counts 13 to 20 of the indictment with bank fraud, in 
violation of Section 1344(2) of Title 18 of the United States Code.  In order for any 
defendant to be found guilty of bank fraud in violation of Section 1344(2) of Title 18 of 
the United States Code, the government must prove each of the following elements 
beyond a reasonable doubt as to that defendant:  
 
First, the defendant joined a scheme or plan to obtain money or property from the 
financial institution in the count by making false statements or promises, knowing of that 
object and intending to help accomplish it. 
Second, the defendant knew that the statements or promises were false. 
Third, the defendant knew that the statements or promises were material; that is, 
they had a natural tendency to influence, or were capable of influencing, a financial 
institution to part with money or property. 
Fourth, the defendant acted with the intent to defraud.  
Fifth, the defendant knew that the financial institution to be defrauded was 
federally insured. 
 
Supporting Authorities 
Ninth Circuit Manual of Model Criminal Jury Instructions 8.127 (online versions of 
May 25, 2021). 
 
 
 
 
 
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COURT’S INSTRUCTION NO. __ 
DEFENDANTS’ JOINTLY PROPOSED INSTRUCTION NO. 6 
(Fraud - Good Faith – Defense) 
(to follow instruction on elements of wire fraud and bank fraud) 
In order to prove wire fraud or bank fraud, or conspiracy to commit wire fraud or 
bank fraud, beyond a reasonable doubt, the government must prove that the defendant 
knew and intended that action be taken with the intent to defraud, that is, the intent to 
deceive and cheat.  But one who acts on an honest and good faith misunderstanding as to 
the requirements of the law does not act with an intent to defraud simply because their 
understanding of the law is wrong or even irrational. Nevertheless, merely disagreeing 
with the law does not constitute a good faith misunderstanding of the law because all 
persons have a duty to obey the law whether or not they agree with it. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Supporting Authorities 
Model Crim. Jury Instr. 9th Cir. 8.21 (2021) (Comment) (modified to reflect the 
charges in the indictment). 
 
 
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COURT’S INSTRUCTION NO. __ 
DEFENDANTS’ JOINTLY PROPOSED INSTRUCTION NO. 7 
(Fraud – Multiple Schemes – Defense) 
(to follow instruction on elements of each wire fraud or bank fraud count) 
 
In order to a find a defendant guilty of wire fraud or bank fraud, the government 
must prove beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant knowingly participated in or 
devised a scheme or plan to defraud, or a scheme or plan for obtaining money or 
property by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, or promises.  
Counts 2 through 20 of the indictment alleged a single, unitary, scheme to commit wire 
fraud and bank fraud.  You must decide whether the unitary scheme to commit wire 
fraud and bank fraud alleged in Counts 2 through 20 of the indictment existed, and, if it 
did, who at least some of its members were.  If you find that the single scheme to 
commit wire fraud and bank fraud charged in Counts 2 through 20 did not exist, then 
you must return a not guilty verdict, even though you may find that some other scheme 
or schemes existed.  For example, if you find that Counts 2 through 20 concern two or 
more schemes, you must find the defendants not guilty of the single scheme charged in 
Counts 2 through 20.  Similarly, if you find that any defendant was not a member of the 
scheme to commit wire fraud and bank fraud charged in Counts 2 through 20, then you 
must find that defendant not guilty, even though that defendant may have been a 
member of some other scheme. 
Supporting Authorities 
United States v. Thomas, 586 F.2d 123, 132 (9th Cir. 1978)( Whether a scheme is one 
conspiracy or several conspiracies is ordinarily a question for the jury . . . Submitting 
the question to the jury in this case was proper, since a prima facie case of a single 
conspiracy was clearly presented.); United States v. Rodgers, 624 F.2d 1303, 1307 (5th 
Cir. 1980) (The jury properly could have concluded that the defendants were involved 
in several and not one scheme to defraud); Simons v. United States, 119 F.2d 539, 548 
(9th Cir. 1941) (fraud charged as “one general scheme”); United States v. Peters, 543 F. 
App’x 5, 8 (2d Cir. 2013) (“the essence of the crime charged in [the conspiracy count] 
is a single scheme to defraud”). 
 
 
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COURT’S INSTRUCTION NO. __ 
DEFENDANTS’ JOINTLY PROPOSED INSTRUCTION NO. 8 
(Conspiracy to Commit Concealment and Transactional Money Laundering – 
Elements) 
All defendants are charged in Count 26 of the indictment with a single conspiracy 
to commit (a) concealment money laundering in violation of Section 1956(a)(1)(B)(i) of 
Title 18 of the United States Code and (b) transactional money laundering in violation of 
Section 1957 of the same title. In order for a defendant to be found guilty of Count 26 
the government must prove each of the following elements beyond a reasonable doubt. 
First, beginning no later than in or around March 2020 and continuing until at least 
in or around October 2020, there was an agreement between two or more persons to 
commit concealment money laundering or money laundering as charged in Count 26 of 
the indictment. 
Second, the defendant became a member of the conspiracy knowing of every 
element of at least one of its objects—conspiracy to commit concealment money 
laundering or transactional money laundering—and intending to help accomplish it. (The 
elements of concealment money laundering and transactional money laundering are 
listed below.) 
 
What is Concealment Money Laundering? 
The first element of concealment money laundering is that the defendant 
conducted a financial transaction involving property that represented the proceeds of 
the conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud, wire fraud, or bank fraud, all as 
specifically charged in the indictment.  
The second element of concealment money laundering is that the defendant knew 
that the property represented the proceeds of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire 
fraud, wire fraud, or bank fraud, all as specifically charged in the indictment. 
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The third element of concealment money laundering is that the defendant knew 
that the transaction was designed in whole or in part to conceal or disguise the nature, 
location, source, ownership, or control of the proceeds. 
A financial transaction is a transaction involving the use of a financial institution 
that is engaged in, or the activities of which affect interstate or foreign commerce in 
any way. 
 
What is Transactional Money Laundering? 
The first element of transactional money laundering is that the defendant 
knowingly engaged in a monetary transaction.  
The second element of transactional money laundering is that the defendant 
knew the transaction involved property representing the proceeds of unlawful activity 
that is charged in the indictment. 
The third element of transactional money laundering is that the property had a 
value greater than $10,000.  
The fourth element of transactional money laundering is that the transaction 
involved property that was, in fact, derived from conspiracy to commit bank fraud and 
wire fraud, wire fraud, or bank fraud as specifically alleged in the indictment. 
 
The term “monetary transaction” means the deposit, withdrawal, transfer, or 
exchange, in or affecting interstate commerce, of funds or a monetary instrument by, 
through, or to a financial institution. 
 
What Is a Conspiracy, and How Does One Become a Member? 
A conspiracy is a kind of criminal partnership—an agreement of two or more 
persons to commit one or more crimes. The crime of conspiracy is the agreement to do 
something unlawful; it does not matter whether the crime agreed upon was committed.  
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For a conspiracy to have existed, it is not necessary that the conspirators made a formal 
agreement or that they agreed on every detail of the conspiracy. It is not enough, 
however, that they simply met, discussed matters of common interest, acted in similar 
ways, or perhaps helped one another. You must find that there was a plan to commit at 
least one of the crimes alleged in the indictment as an object of the conspiracy with all 
of you agreeing as to the particular crime which the conspirators agreed to commit.  
One becomes a member of a conspiracy by willfully participating in the unlawful plan 
with the intent to advance or further some object or purpose of the conspiracy, even 
though the person does not have full knowledge of all the details of the conspiracy. 
Furthermore, one who willfully joins an existing conspiracy is as responsible for it as 
the originators. On the other hand, one who has no knowledge of a conspiracy, but 
happens to act in a way which furthers some object or purpose of the conspiracy, does 
not thereby become a conspirator. Similarly, a person does not become a conspirator 
merely by associating with one or more persons who are conspirators, nor merely by 
knowing that a conspiracy exists. 
 
Unanimity Requirements 
For a defendant to be found guilty, you must find beyond reasonable doubt that 
there was a plan to commit at least one object of the alleged conspiracy – concealment 
money laundering or transactional money laundering – with all of you agreeing beyond 
a reasonable doubt as to which object – concealment money laundering, transactional 
money laundering, or both – and all of you agreeing beyond a reasonable doubt that the 
defendant knowingly and willfully joined the conspiracy to accomplish such object(s).  
 
 
 
 
 
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Supporting Authorities 
Ninth Circuit Manual of Model Criminal Jury Instructions 8.20, 8.147, 8.150 (online 
versions of May 25, 2021) (modified to link to superseding indictment’s allegations). 
 
 
 
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COURT’S INSTRUCTION NO. __ 
DEFENDANTS’ JOINTLY PROPOSED INSTRUCTION NO. 9 
(Count 26 – Multiple Conspiracies – Defense) 
Count 26 of the indictment alleges a single conspiracy to commit concealment 
money laundering and transactional money laundering.  You must decide whether the 
single conspiracy to commit concealment money laundering and transactional money 
laundering charged in Count 26 of the indictment existed, and, if it did, who at least 
some of its members were.  If you find that the conspiracy to commit concealment 
money laundering and transactional money laundering charged in Count 26 did not 
exist as a single conspiracy, then you must return a not guilty verdict, even though you 
may find that some other conspiracy existed.  For example, if you find that Count 26 
concerns two or more conspiracies, you must find the defendants not guilty of the 
single conspiracy charged in Count 26.  Similarly, if you find that any defendant was 
not a member of the conspiracy charged in Count 26, then you must find that defendant 
not guilty, even though that defendant may have been a member of some other 
conspiracy. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Supporting Authorities 
Model Crim. Jury Instr. 9th Cir. 8.22 (2021) (modified to reflect the charges in the 
indictment). 
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COURT’S INSTRUCTION NO. __ 
DEFENDANTS’ JOINTLY PROPOSED INSTRUCTION NO. 10 
(Concealment Money Laundering - Elements) 
 
Defendant Vahe Dadyan is charged in Count 27 with laundering money, in 
violation of Section 1956(a)(1)(B)(i) of Title 18 of the United States Code.  Defendant 
Richard Ayvazyan is charged in Counts 28 through 32 with laundering money, in 
violation of Section 1956(a)(1)(B)(i) of Title 18 of the United States Code.   
In order for a defendant to be found guilty of laundering money as charged in the 
indictment, the government must prove each of the following elements beyond a 
reasonable doubt with regards to the specific instances of money laundering alleged in 
the indictment: 
First, that the defendant conducted a financial transaction involving property that 
represented the proceeds of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud, in 
violation of Section 1349 of Title 18 of the United States Code; wire fraud in violation 
of Section 1343 of Title 18 of the United States Code; or bank fraud, in violation of 
Section 1344(2) of Title 18 of the United States Code;  
Second, that the defendant knew that the property represented the proceeds of 
unlawful activity that is charged in the indictment;  
Third, that the defendant knew that the transaction was designed in whole or in 
part to conceal or disguise the nature, location, source, ownership, and/or control of 
such proceeds. 
Fourth, that the defendant did something that was a substantial step toward 
committing the crime and that strongly corroborated his intent to commit the crime. 
Mere preparation is not a substantial step toward committing the crime. To 
constitute a substantial step, the defendant’s act or actions must unequivocally 
demonstrate that the crime will take place unless interrupted by independent 
circumstances. 
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Jurors do not need to agree unanimously as to which particular act or actions 
constituted a substantial step toward the commission of a crime. 
A financial transaction is a transaction involving the use of a financial institution 
that is engaged in, or the activities of which affect interstate or foreign commerce in 
any way. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Supporting Authorities 
(Ninth Circuit Manual of Model Criminal Jury Instructions 8.147 (online version of 
May 26, 2021) (modified to reflect factual allegations of Count 27). 
 
 
 
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COURT’S INSTRUCTION NO. __ 
 
DEFENDANTS’ JOINTLY PROPOSED INSTRUCTION NO. 11 
 
(Aggravated Identity Theft – Richard Ayvazyan) 
 
Richard Ayvazyan is charged in Count 21 of the indictment with aggravated 
identity theft in violation of Section 1028A of Title 18 of the United States Code. In 
order for him to be found guilty of that charge, the government must prove each of the 
following elements beyond a reasonable doubt: 
 First, beginning no later than in or around March 2020 and continuing until at 
least in or around August 2020, in Los Angeles County, within the Central District of 
California, and elsewhere, Richard Ayvazyan knowingly transferred, possessed, or used 
without legal authority, or willfully caused to be transferred possessed, or used without 
legal authority the name of M.Z.; 
 Second, Richard Ayvazyan knew that M.Z. was a real person; and 
 Third, Richard Ayvazyan did so during and in relation to the commission of 
bank fraud as charged in Count 14. 
  The government need not establish that the name of M.Z. was stolen. 
 
 
Supporting Authorities 
 
Ninth Circuit Manual of Model Criminal Jury Instructions 8.83 (online version of May 
25, 2021) (modified to reflect factual allegations of Count 21). 
 
 
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COURT’S INSTRUCTION NO. __ 
 
DEFENDANTS’ JOINTLY PROPOSED INSTRUCTION NO. 12 
 
(Aggravated Identity Theft – Richard Ayvazyan and Marietta Terabelian) 
 
Richard Ayvazyan and Marietta Terabelian are charged in Count 22 of the 
indictment with aggravated identity theft in violation of Section 1028A of Title 18 of 
the United States Code. In order for either of them to be found guilty of that charge, the 
government must prove each of the following elements beyond a reasonable doubt as to 
him or her individually: 
  First, beginning no later than in or around July 2020 and continuing until at 
least in or around August 2020, in Los Angeles County, within the Central District of 
California, and elsewhere Richard Ayvazyan or Marietta Terabelian knowingly 
transferred, possessed, or used without legal authority, or willfully caused to be 
transferred, possessed, or used without legal authority the name and California driver’s 
license number of N.T.; 
Second, Richard Ayvazyan or Marietta Terabelian knew that M.Z. was a real 
person; and 
 Third, Richard Ayvazyan or Marietta Terabelian did so during and in relation to 
the commission of wire fraud as charged in Count 11. 
The government need not establish that the name or driver’s license of N.T. was 
stolen. 
Supporting Authorities 
Ninth Circuit Manual of Model Criminal Jury Instructions 8.83 (online version 
of May 25, 2021) (modified to reflect factual allegations of Count 22). 
 
 
 
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COURT’S INSTRUCTION NO. __ 
 
DEFENDANTS’ JOINTLY PROPOSED INSTRUCTION NO. 13 
 
(Aggravated Identity Theft – Manuk Grigoryan) 
 
Manuk Grigoryan is charged in Count 23 of the indictment with aggravated 
identity theft in violation of Section 1028A of Title 18 of the United States Code. In 
order for him to be found guilty of that charge, the government must prove each of the 
following elements beyond a reasonable doubt: 
First, beginning no later than in or around June 2020 and continuing until at least 
in or around August 2020, in Los Angeles County, within the Central District of 
California, and elsewhere, Grigoryan knowingly transferred, possessed, or used without 
legal authority, or willfully caused to be transferred possessed, or used without legal 
authority the name of A.F.; 
Second, Grigoryan knew that A.F. was a real person; and 
Third, Grigoryan did so during and in relation to the commission of bank fraud 
as charged in Count 19. 
The government need not establish that the name of A.F. was stolen. 
Supporting Authorities 
Ninth Circuit Manual of Model Criminal Jury Instructions 8.83 (online version 
of May 25, 2021) (modified to reflect factual allegations of Count 23). 
 
 
 
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COURT’S INSTRUCTION NO. __ 
 
DEFENDANTS’ JOINTLY PROPOSED INSTRUCTION NO. 14 
 
(Aggravated Identity Theft – Artur Ayvazyan and Tamara Dadyan) 
 
Artur Ayvazyan and Tamara Dadyan are charged in Count 24 of the indictment 
with aggravated identity theft in violation of Section 1028A of Title 18 of the United 
States Code. In order for either of them to be found guilty of that charge, the 
government must prove each of the following elements beyond a reasonable doubt as to 
him or her individually: 
First, beginning no later than in or around June 2020 and continuing until at least 
in or around August 2020, in Los Angeles County, within the Central District of 
California, and elsewhere, Artur Ayvazyan or Tamara Dadyan knowingly transferred, 
possessed, or used without legal authority, or willfully caused to be transferred 
possessed, or used without legal authority the name and date of birth of A.D.; 
Second, Artur Ayvazyan or Tamara Dadyan knew that A.D. was a real person; 
and 
Third, Artur Ayvazyan or Tamara Dadyan did so during and in relation to the 
commission of wire fraud as charged in Count 12. 
The government need not establish that the name or date of birth of A.D. was 
stolen. 
 
Supporting Authorities 
Ninth Circuit Manual of Model Criminal Jury Instructions 8.83 (online version 
of May 25, 2021) (modified to reflect factual allegations of Count 24). 
 
 
 
 
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COURT’S INSTRUCTION NO. __ 
DEFENDANTS’ JOINTLY PROPOSED INSTRUCTION NO. 15 
(Presumption of Innocence – Reasonable Doubt – Burden) 
I instruct you that you must presume the Defendants to be innocent of the crimes 
charged.  Thus, the defendants, although accused of crimes in the indictment, begins 
the trial with a “clean slate”—with no evidence against them. The indictment, as you 
already know, is not evidence of any kind.  The defendants are, of course, not on trial 
for any act or crime not contained in the indictment. The law permits nothing but legal 
evidence presented before the jury in court to be considered in support of any charge 
against a defendant. The presumption of innocence alone, therefore, is sufficient to 
acquit the Defendants. 
The burden is always upon the prosecution to prove guilt beyond a reasonable 
doubt. This burden never shifts to a defendant for the law never imposes upon a 
defendant in a criminal case the burden or duty of calling any witnesses or producing 
any evidence. The defendant is not even obligated to produce any evidence by cross-
examining the witnesses for the government. 
It is not required that the government prove guilt beyond all possible doubt. The 
test is one of reasonable doubt. A reasonable doubt is a doubt based upon reason and 
common sense—the kind of doubt that would make a reasonable person hesitate to act. 
Proof beyond a reasonable doubt must, therefore, be proof of such a convincing 
character that a reasonable person would not hesitate to rely and act upon it in the most 
important of his or her own affairs. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Unless the government proves, beyond a reasonable doubt, that Defendants have 
committed each and every element of the offenses charged in the indictment, you must 
find Defendants not guilty of the offenses. If the jury views the evidence in the case as 
reasonably permitting either of two conclusions—one of innocence, the other of guilt—
the jury must, of course, adopt the conclusion of innocence. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Supporting Authorities 
1A Fed. Jury Prac. & Instr. § 12:10 (6th ed.), 1A Fed. Jury Prac. & Instr. § 12:10 (6th 
ed.) 
 
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COURT’S INSTRUCTION NO. __ 
DEFENDANTS’ JOINTLY PROPOSED INSTRUCTION NO. 16 
(Defendant Not Required to Testify) 
 
The defendant in a criminal case has an absolute right under our Constitution not 
to testify. 
The fact that Defendant did not testify must not be discussed or considered in 
any way when deliberating and in arriving at your verdict. No inference of any kind 
may be drawn from the fact that a defendant decided to exercise their privilege under 
the Constitution and did not testify. 
As stated before, the law never imposes upon a defendant in a criminal case the 
burden or duty of calling any witnesses or of producing any evidence. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Supporting Authorities 
1A Fed. Jury Prac. & Instr. § 15:14 (6th ed.), 1A Fed. Jury Prac. & Instr. § 15:14 
(6th ed.) 
 
 
 
 
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COURT’S INSTRUCTION NO. __ 
DEFENDANTS’ JOINTLY PROPOSED INSTRUCTION NO. 17 
(Mere Presence) 
 
Mere presence at the scene of a crime or mere knowledge that a crime is being 
committed is not sufficient to establish that the defendant committed the crime of 
conspiracy, bank fraud, wire fraud, identity theft or money laundering. The defendant 
must be a participant and not merely a knowing spectator. The defendant’s presence 
may be considered by the jury along with other evidence in the case. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Supporting Authorities 
Model Crim. Jury Instr. 9th Cir. 6.10 (2021). 
 
 
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COURT’S INSTRUCTION NO. __ 
DEFENDANTS’ JOINTLY PROPOSED INSTRUCTION NO. 18 
(Role of the Jury) 
It is your duty to weigh and to evaluate all the evidence received in the case and, 
in that process, to decide the facts. It is also your duty to apply the law as I give it to 
you to the facts as you find them, whether you agree with the law or not. You must 
decide the case solely on the evidence and the law. Do not allow personal likes or 
dislikes, sympathy, prejudice, fear, or public opinion to influence you. You should also 
not be influenced by any person’s race, color, religious beliefs, national ancestry, 
sexual orientation, gender identity, gender, or economic circumstances. Also, do not 
allow yourself to be influenced by personal likes or dislikes, sympathy, prejudice, fear, 
public opinion, or biases, including unconscious biases. Unconscious biases are 
stereotypes, attitudes, or preferences that people may consciously reject but may be 
expressed without conscious awareness, control, or intention. You will recall that you 
took an oath promising to do so at the beginning of the case. 
 
You must follow all these instructions and not single out some and ignore others; 
they are all important. Please do not read into these instructions or into anything I may 
have said or done any suggestion as to what verdict you should return—that is a matter 
entirely up to you. 
 
 
 
Supporting Authorities 
Model Crim. Jury Instr. 9th Cir. 3.1 (2021). 
 
 
 
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COURT’S INSTRUCTION NO. __ 
DEFENDANTS’ JOINTLY PROPOSED INSTRUCTION NO. 19 
(Evidence That May Be Considered) 
The evidence you are to consider in deciding what the facts are consists of: 
(1) the sworn testimony of any witness; and 
(2) the exhibits received in evidence; and 
(3) any facts to which the parties have agreed. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Supporting Authorities 
Model Crim. Jury Instr. 9th Cir. 3.6 (2021). 
 
 
 
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COURT’S INSTRUCTION NO. __ 
DEFENDANTS’ JOINTLY PROPOSED INSTRUCTION NO. 20 
(Things That Are Not Evidence) 
In reaching your verdict you may consider only the testimony and exhibits 
received in evidence. The following things are not evidence and you may not consider 
them in deciding what the facts are: 
1.  Questions, statements, objections, and arguments by the lawyers are not 
evidence.  The lawyers are not witnesses. Although you must consider a lawyer’s 
questions to understand the answers of a witness, the lawyer’s questions are not 
evidence. Similarly, what the lawyers have said in their opening statements, or their 
closing arguments, and at other times is intended to help you interpret the evidence, but 
it is not evidence. If the facts as you remember them differ from the way the lawyers 
state them, your memory of them controls. 
2. Any testimony that I have excluded, stricken, or instructed you to disregard is 
not evidence. [In addition, some evidence was received only for a limited purpose; 
when I have instructed you to consider certain evidence in a limited way, you must do 
so.] 
3. Anything you may have seen or heard when the court was not in session is not 
evidence. You are to decide the case solely on the evidence received at the trial.   
 
 
 
 
Supporting Authorities 
Model Crim. Jury Instr. 9th Cir. 3.7 (2021). 
 
 
 
 
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COURT’S INSTRUCTION NO. __ 
DEFENDANTS’ JOINTLY PROPOSED INSTRUCTION NO. 21 
(Separate Charges) 
Separate crimes have been charged against each defendant.  The charges have 
been joined for trial.  You must consider and decide the case of each defendant 
separately.  Your verdict as to one defendant should not control your verdict as to any 
other defendant. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Supporting Authorities 
Model Crim. Jury Instr. 9th Cir. 3.12 (2021). 
 
 
 
 
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COURT’S INSTRUCTION NO. __ 
DEFENDANTS’ JOINTLY PROPOSED INSTRUCTION NO. 22 
(Separate Counts) 
A separate crime is charged against one or more of the defendants in each count. 
The charges have been joined for trial. You must decide the case of each defendant on 
each crime charged against that defendant separately. Your verdict on any count as to 
any defendant should not control your verdict on any other count or as to any other 
defendant. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Supporting Authorities 
Model Crim. Jury Instr. 9th Cir. 3.13 (2021). 
 
 
 
 
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Dated:   May 27, 2021 
 
 
Respectfully submitted, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Ashwin J. Ram  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ashwin J. Ram (SBN 227513) 
aram@steptoe.com 
Michael A. Keough (SBN 327037) 
mkeough@steptoe.com 
Nicholas P. Silverman (pro hac vice) 
nsilverman@steptoe.com 
Meghan L. Newcomer (pro hac vice) 
mnewcomer@steptoe.com 
STEPTOE & JOHNSON LLP 
633 West Fifth Street, Suite 1900 
Los Angeles, CA 90071 
Telephone: (213) 439-9400 
Facsimile: (213) 439-9599 
 
Counsel for Defendant Richard Ayvazyan 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Ryan V. Fraser  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
John L. Littrell (SBN 221601) 
jlittrell@bklwlaw.com  
Ryan V. Fraser (SBN 272196) 
rfraser@bklwlaw.com  
BIENERT KATZMAN LITTRELL 
WILLIAMS LLP 
601 W. 5th Street, Suite 720 
Los Angeles, CA 90071 
Telephone: (213) 528-3400 
Facsimile: (949) 369-3701 
 
Counsel for Defendant Marietta 
Terabelian 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
[SIGNATURES CONTINUE ON  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NEXT PAGE] 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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/s/ Thomas A. Mesereau  
 
 
Thomas A. Mesereau Jr. (SBN 91182) 
mesereau@mesereaulaw.com 
MESEREAU LAW GROUP, P.C. 
10100 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 300 
Los Angeles, CA 90067 
Telephone: (310) 651-9960 
 
Jennifer J. Wirsching (SBN 263141) 
wirschinglaw@outlook.com 
ATTORNEY AT LAW 
1935 Alpha Rd, Suite 216 
Glendale, CA 91208 
Telephone: (424) 902-9280 
 
Counsel for Defendant Artur Ayvazyan 
 
/s/ Fred G. Minassian 
 
 
Fred G. Minassian (SBN 170974) 
fgminassian@yahoo.com  
LAW OFFICES OF FRED G. 
MINASSIAN, INC. 
101 N. Brand Ave, Suite 1970  
Glendale, CA 91203  
Telephone: (818) 240-2444 
 
Counsel for Defendant Tamara Dadyan 
 
/s/ John Hanusz 
 
 
 
John Hanusz (SBN 277367) 
john@hanuszlaw.com 
HANUSZ LAW, PC 
800 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 1050 
Los Angeles, CA 90017-2672 
Telephone: (213) 204-4200 
 
Counsel for Defendant Manuk Grigoryan 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
[SIGNATURES CONTINUE ON  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NEXT PAGE] 
 
 
 
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/s/ Peter Johnson  
 
 
Peter Johnson (SBN 252542) 
peter@peterjohnsonlaw.com 
LAW OFFICE OF PETER JOHNSON 
409 North Pacific Coast Hwy, 651 
Redondo Beach, California 90277 
Telephone: (310) 295-1785 
 
Counsel for Vahe Dadyan 
 
SIGNATURE ATTESTATION 
 
Pursuant to Local Rule 5-4.3.4(a)(i), the filer attests that all signatories listed, 
and on whose behalf the filing is submitted, concur in the filing’s content and have 
authorized the filing. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Case 2:20-cr-00579-SVW     Document 372     Filed 05/27/21     Page 40 of 40   Page ID
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