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Home Court filings USA v. Thomas et al — Carla Jackson judgment, N.D. Ga. Guilty Plea and Plea Agreement (Doc. 100-1, filed 2021-03-11)

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Guilty Plea and Plea Agreement (Doc. 100-1, filed 2021-03-11)

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Guilty Plea and Plea Agreement filed in open court March 11, 2021 (Document 100-1) in Criminal No. 1:20-cr-296-JPB-AJB, Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division, under which Bern Benoit a/k/a Burn Benoit pleads guilty to Count 7 of the Indictment. Count 7 carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years, a maximum fine of $1,000,000.00 or twice the gain or loss, full restitution and a $100.00 special assessment, and the remaining counts are to be dismissed. The parties agree to the 14-level upward adjustment under Section 2B1.1(b)(1)(H), and the Government agrees to recommend a sentence at the low end of the adjusted guideline range. The agreement includes cooperation terms with a possible substantial-assistance motion, and the defendant's signature is dated 03/10/2021, with counsel Anthony Egbase named.

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CourtU.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
Filed2021-03-11

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“Guilty Plea and Plea Agreement.” U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, No. 1:20-cr-00296-JPB-CMS, Doc. 100-1, filed 2021-03-11. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/court-filings/full-docket-bern-benoit-gand-279866/2021-03-11-guilty-plea-and-plea-agreement-gov-uscourts-gand-279866-100-1/, SHA-256 ca556682607c56a0b444dd9bc0a88870ac81ca4b5ec4db737a529b255cc59fe9.

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Case 1:20-cr-00296-JPB-CMS Document 100-1 Filed 03/11/P1 Pagponor ren

Date: Mar 11 2021

JAMES N. HATTEN, Clerk

s/B. Walker

| GUILTY PLEA and PLEA AGREEM ENT

Northern District of Georgia

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF GEORGIA
ATLANTA DIVISION
CRIMINAL NO. 1:20-cr-296-JPB-AJB

The United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia (“the
Government”) and Defendant Bern Benoit a/k/a Burn Benoit enter into this plea
agreement as set forth below in Part IV pursuant to Rules 11(c)(1)(A) & (B) of the
Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. Bern Benoit a/k/a Burn Benoit, Defendant,
having received a copy of the above-numbered Indictment and having been

arraigned, hereby pleads GUILTY to Count 7.

I. ADMISSION OF GUILT

1. The Defendant admits that he is pleading guilty because he is in fact guilty

of the crime(s) charged in Count 7.

Il. ACKNOWLEDGMENT & WAIVER OF RIGHTS

2. The Defendant understands that by pleading guilty, he is giving up the
right to plead not guilty and the right to be tried by a jury. Ata trial, the
Defendant would have the right to an attorney, and if the Defendant could not
afford an attorney, the Court would appoint one to represent the Defendant at
trial and at every stage of the proceedings. During the trial, the Defendant would
be presumed innocent and the Government would have the burden of proving
him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The Defendant would have the right to

confront and cross-examine the witnesses against him. If the Defendant wished,
Case 1:20-cr-00296-JPB-CMS Document 100-1 Filed 03/11/21 Page 2 of 22

he could testify on his own behalf and present evidence in his defense, and he
could subpoena witnesses to testify on his behalf. If, however, the Defendant did
not wish to testify, that fact could not be used against him, and the Government
could not compel him to incriminate himself. If the Defendant were found guilty
after a trial, he would have the right to appeal the conviction.

3. The Defendant understands that by pleading guilty, he is giving up all of
these rights and there will not be a trial of any kind.

4. By pleading guilty, the Defendant also gives up any and all rights to pursue
any affirmative defenses, Fourth Amendment or Fifth Amendment claims, and
other pretrial motions that have been filed or could have been filed.

5. The Defendant also understands that he ordinarily would have the right to
appeal his sentence and, under some circumstances, to attack the conviction and
sentence in post-conviction proceedings. By entering this Plea Agreement, the
Defendant may be waiving some or all of those rights to appeal and to
collaterally attack his conviction and sentence, as specified below.

6. Finally, the Defendant understands that, to plead guilty, he may have to
answer, under oath, questions posed to him by the Court concerning the rights
that he is giving up and the facts of this case, and the Defendant’s answers, if
untruthful, may later be used against him in a prosecution for perjury or false

statements.

Il. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF PENALTIES

7. The Defendant understands that, based on his plea of guilty, he will be

subject to the following maximum and mandatory minimum penalties:

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As to Count 7

a. Maximum term of imprisonment: 30 years.

b. Mandatory minimum term of imprisonment: None.

c. Term of supervised release: 0 years to 5 years.

d. Maximum fine: $1,000,000.00, or twice the gain or twice the loss,
whichever is greatest, due and payable immediately.

e. Full restitution, due and payable immediately, to all victims of the
offense(s) and relevant conduct.

f. Mandatory special assessment: $100.00, due and payable
immediately.

g. Forfeiture of any and all proceeds from the commission of the
offense, any and all property used or intended to be used to facilitate
the offense, and any property involved in the offense.

8. The Defendant understands that, before imposing sentence in this case, the
Court will be required to consider, among other factors, the provisions of the
United States Sentencing Guidelines and that, under certain circumstances, the
Court has the discretion to depart from those Guidelines. The Defendant further
understands that the Court may impose a sentence up to and including the
statutory maximum as set forth in the above paragraph and that no one can
predict his exact sentence at this time.

9. REMOVAL FROM THE UNITED STATES: The Defendant recognizes that

pleading guilty may have consequences with respect to his immigration status if

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he is not a citizen of the United States. Under federal law, a broad range of
crimes are removable offenses, including the offense to which the Defendant is
pleading guilty. Indeed, because the Defendant is pleading guilty to this offense,
removal is presumptively mandatory. Removal and other immigration
consequences are the subject of a separate proceeding, however, and the
Defendant understands that no one, including his attorney or the District Court,
can predict to a certainty the effect of his conviction on his immigration status.
The Defendant nevertheless affirms that he wants to plead guilty regardless of
any immigration consequences that his plea may entail, even if the consequence

is his automatic removal from the United States.

IV. PLEA AGREEMENT

10. The Defendant, his counsel, and the Government, subject to approval by
the Court, have agreed upon a negotiated plea in this case, the terms of which are

as follows:

Dismissal of Counts

11. The Government agrees that, upon the entry of the Judgment and
Commitment Order, any and all remaining counts in the above-styled case still
pending against the Defendant shall be dismissed pursuant to Standing Order
No. 07-04 of this Court and to Rule 48(a) of the Federal Rules of Criminal
Procedure. The Defendant understands that the Probation Office and the Court
may still consider the conduct underlying such dismissed counts in determining
relevant conduct under the Sentencing Guidelines and a reasonable sentence
under Title 18, United States Code, Section 3553(a).

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No Additional Charges

12. The United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia agrees not
to bring further criminal charges against the Defendant related to the charges to
which he is pleading guilty. The Defendant understands that this provision does

not bar prosecution by any other federal, state, or local jurisdiction.

Sentencing Guidelines Recommendations

13. Based upon the evidence currently known to the Government, the
Government agrees to make the following recommendations and/or to enter into
the following stipulations.

Base/Adjusted Offense Level
14. The Government agrees to recommend and the Defendant agrees that:
a. The applicable offense guideline is Section 2B1.1.
b. The Defendant receive the 14-level upward adjustment pursuant to
Section 2B1.1(b)(1)(H).
Obstruction & Related Adjustments

15. The Government agrees to recommend and the Defendant agrees that:

a. The Defendant not receive the 2-level upward adjustment pursuant
to Section 3C1.1.
Acceptance of Responsibility

16. The Government will recommend that the Defendant receive an offense
level adjustment for acceptance of responsibility, pursuant to Section 3E1.1, to
the maximum extent authorized by the guideline. However, the Government will

not be required to recommend acceptance of responsibility if, after entering this

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Plea Agreement, the Defendant engages in conduct inconsistent with accepting
responsibility. Thus, by way of example only, should the Defendant falsely deny
or falsely attempt to minimize the Defendant's involvement in relevant offense
conduct, give conflicting statements about the Defendant’s involvement, fail to
pay the special assessment, fail to meet any of the obligations set forth in the
Financial Cooperation Provisions set forth below, or participate in additional
criminal conduct, including unlawful personal use of a controlled substance, the

Government will not be required to recommend acceptance of responsibility.

Right to Answer Questions, Correct Misstatements,
and Make Recommendations

17. The parties reserve the right to inform the Court and the Probation Office
of all facts and circumstances regarding the Defendant and this case, and to
respond to any questions from the Court and the Probation Office and to any
misstatements of fact or law. Except as expressly stated elsewhere in this Plea
Agreement, the parties also reserve the right to make recommendations
regarding application of the Sentencing Guidelines. The parties understand,
acknowledge, and agree that there are no agreements between the parties with

respect to any Sentencing Guidelines issues other than those specifically listed.

Right to Modify Recommendations

18. With regard to the Government’s recommendation as to any specific
application of the Sentencing Guidelines as set forth elsewhere in this Plea
Agreement, the Defendant understands and agrees that, should the Government

obtain or receive additional evidence concerning the facts underlying any such

6
recommendation, the Government will bring that evidence to the attention of the
Court and the Probation Office. In addition, if the additional evidence is
sufficient to support a finding of a different application of the Guidelines, the
Government will not be bound to make the recommendation set forth elsewhere
in this Plea Agreement, and the failure to do so will not constitute a violation of

this Plea Agreement.

Cooperation

General Requirements

19. The Defendant agrees to cooperate truthfully and completely with the
Government, including being debriefed and providing truthful testimony at any
proceeding resulting from or related to the Defendant's cooperation. The
Defendant agrees to so cooperate in any investigation or proceeding as requested
by the Government. The Defendant agrees that the Defendant’s cooperation shall
include, but not be limited to:

a. producing all records, whether written, recorded, electronic, or
machine readable, in his actual or constructive possession, custody,
or control, of evidentiary value or requested by attorneys and agents
of the Government;

b. making himself available for interviews, not at the expense of the
Government if he is on bond, upon the request of attorneys and
agents of the Government;

c. responding fully and truthfully to all inquiries of the Government in

connection with any investigation or proceeding, without falsely

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implicating any person or intentionally withholding any
information, subject to the penalties of making false statements
(18 U.S.C. § 1001), obstruction of justice (18 U.S.C. § 1503) and
related offenses; and
d. when called upon to do so by the Government in connection with
any investigation or proceeding, testifying in grand jury, trial, and
other judicial proceedings, fully, truthfully, and under oath, subject
to the penalties of perjury (18 U.S.C. § 1621), making false statements
or declarations in grand jury or court proceedings (18 U.S.C. § 1623),
contempt (18 U.S.C. §§ 401 - 402), obstruction of justice
(18 U.S.C. § 1503), and related offenses.
The Defendant understands that the Government alone will determine what
forms of cooperation to request from the Defendant, and the Defendant agrees
that the Defendant will not engage in any investigation that is not specifically
authorized by the Government.
Consent to Contact
20. The Defendant and the Defendant's counsel agree that Government
attorneys and law enforcement agents may contact the Defendant without
notifying and outside the presence of the Defendant’s counsel for purposes
relevant to the Defendant’s cooperation.
Section 1B1.8 Protection
21. Pursuant to Section 1B1.8 of the Sentencing Guidelines, the Government

agrees that any self-incriminating information that was previously unknown to

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the Government and is provided to the Government by the Defendant in
connection with the Defendant's cooperation and as a result of this Plea
Agreement will not be used in determining the applicable sentencing guideline
range, although such information may be disclosed to the Probation Office and
the Court. The Government also agrees not to bring additional charges against
the Defendant, with the exception of charges resulting from or related to violent
criminal activity, based on any information provided by the Defendant in
connection with cooperation that was not known to the Government prior to the
cooperation. However, if the Government determines that the Defendant has not
been completely truthful and candid in his cooperation with the Government, he
may be subject to prosecution for perjury, false statements, obstruction of justice,
and any other appropriate charge, and all information the Defendant has
provided may be used against the Defendant in such a prosecution. Furthermore,
should the Defendant withdraw his guilty plea in this case and proceed to trial,
the Government is free to use any statements and/or other information provided
by the Defendant, pursuant to the Defendant’s cooperation, as well as any
information derived therefrom, during any trial or other proceeding related to
the Government's prosecution of the Defendant for the offense(s) charged in the
above-numbered count.

Conditional Section 5K/Rule 35 Motion

22. The Government agrees to make the extent of the Defendant’s cooperation
known to the sentencing court. In addition, if the cooperation is completed

before sentencing and the Government determines that such cooperation

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qualifies as “substantial assistance” pursuant to Title 18, United States Code,
Section 3553(e) and/or Section 5K1.1 of the Sentencing Guidelines, the
Government will file a motion at sentencing recommending a downward
departure from the applicable guideline range. If the cooperation is completed
after sentencing and the Government determines that such cooperation qualifies
as “substantial assistance” pursuant to Rule 35(b) of the Federal Rules of
Criminal Procedure, the Government will file a motion for reduction of sentence.
In either case, the Defendant understands that the determination as to whether
the Defendant has provided “substantial assistance” rests solely with the
Government. Good faith efforts by the Defendant that do not substantially assist
in the investigation or prosecution of another person who has committed a crime
will not result in either a motion for downward departure or a Rule 35 motion.
The Defendant also understands that, should the Government decide to file a
motion pursuant to this paragraph, the Government may recommend any
specific sentence, and the final decision as to what credit, if any, the Defendant
should receive for the Defendant's cooperation will be determined by the Court.
If the Defendant fails to cooperate truthfully and completely, or if the Defendant
engages in additional criminal conduct or other conduct inconsistent with
cooperation, the Defendant will not be entitled to any consideration whatsoever

pursuant to this paragraph.

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Sentencing Recommendations

Specific Sentence Recommendation

23. Unless the Defendant engages in conduct inconsistent with accepting
responsibility, as described more fully in paragraph 16, the Government agrees
to recommend that the Defendant be sentenced at the low end of the adjusted
guideline range.

Fine--No Recommendation as to Amount

24. The Government agrees to make no specific recommendation as to the
amount of the fine to be imposed on the Defendant within the applicable
guideline range.

Restitution

25. The Defendant agrees to pay $1,105,217, plus applicable interest, to the
Clerk of Court for distribution to the following victims of the offense(s) to which
he is pleading guilty and all relevant conduct, including, but not limited to, any
counts dismissed as a result of this Plea Agreement:

a. $830,417 to Cross River Bank, Inc.
b. $274,800 to the United States Small Business Administration.
The Defendant also agrees to cooperate fully in the investigation of the amount
of restitution, the identification of victims, and the recovery of restitution for
victims.
Forfeiture
26. The Defendant acknowledges that each asset listed below is subject to

forfeiture pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 982(a)(2) and agrees that he shall immediately

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forfeit to the United States any proceeds from, property used or intended to be
used to facilitate, and property involved in the commission of the offense(s) in
Count 7, including, but not limited to, the following:

a. $431,408.28 in funds seized from JPMorgan Chase Bank account
number XXXXXX6415 held in the name of Transportation
Management Services Inc.

b. $30,025.08 in funds seized from JPMorgan Chase Bank account
number XXXXXX9428 held in the name of Bern Benoit.

27. The Defendant waives and abandons all right, title, and interest in all of
the property listed above (referred to hereafter, collectively, as the Subject
Property) and agrees to the administrative or judicial forfeiture of the Subject
Property. In addition, the Defendant waives and abandons his interest in any
other property that may have been seized in connection with this case. The
Defendant agrees to the administrative or judicial forfeiture or the abandonment
of any seized property.

28. The Defendant states that he is the sole and rightful owner of the Subject
Property, that to the best of his knowledge no other person or entity has any
interest in the Subject Property, and that he has not transferred, conveyed, or
encumbered his interest in the Subject Property. The Defendant agrees to take all
steps requested by the United States to facilitate transfer of title of the Subject
Property, including providing and endorsing title certificates, or causing others
to do the same where third parties hold nominal title on the Defendant's behalf,

to a person designated by the United States. The Defendant agrees to take all

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steps necessary to ensure that the Subject Property is not hidden, sold, wasted,
destroyed, or otherwise made unavailable for forfeiture. The Defendant agrees
not to file any claim, answer, or petition for remission or restitution in any
administrative or judicial proceeding pertaining to the Subject Property, and if
such a document has already been filed, the Defendant hereby withdraws that
filing.

29. The Defendant agrees to hold the United States and its agents and
employees harmless from any claims made in connection with the seizure,
forfeiture, or disposal of property connected to this case. The Defendant
acknowledges that the United States will dispose of any seized property, and
that such disposal may include, but is not limited to, the sale, release, or
destruction of any seized property, including the Subject Property. The
Defendant agrees to waive any and all constitutional, statutory, and equitable
challenges in any manner (including direct appeal, a Section 2255 petition,
habeas corpus, or any other means) to the seizure, forfeiture, and disposal of any
property seized in this case, including the Subject Property, on any grounds.

30. The Defendant acknowledges that he is not entitled to use forfeited assets,
including the Subject Property, to satisfy any fine, restitution, cost of
imprisonment, tax obligations, or any other penalty the Court may impose upon
the Defendant in addition to forfeiture. However, the United States Attorney’s
Office for the Northern District of Georgia will recommend to the Chief of the
Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section (AFMLS) of the United States

Department of Justice that property forfeited in this case, or the related civil

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forfeiture case, be used to compensate the victim(s) specified in the restitution
order, provided that the Government determines that the requirements for
restoration as set forth in AFMLS Forfeiture Policy Directive 02-1, Paragraph
III.A., are met. The Defendant understands that the decision on any petition for
remission or restoration is not within the ultimate control of the United States
Attorney’s Office.

31. The Defendant consents to the Court’s entry of a preliminary order of
forfeiture against the Subject Property, which will be final as to him, a part of his

sentence, and incorporated into the judgment against him.

Financial Cooperation Provisions

Special Assessment

32. The Defendant agrees that he will pay a special assessment in the amount
of $100 by money order or certified check made payable to the Clerk of Court,
U.S. District Court, 2211 U.S. Courthouse, 75 Ted Turner Drive SW, Atlanta,
Georgia 30303, by the day of sentencing. The Defendant agrees to provide proof
of such payment to the undersigned Assistant United States Attorney upon
payment thereof.

Fine/Restitution - Terms of Payment

33. The Defendant agrees to pay any fine and/or restitution, plus applicable
interest, imposed by the Court to the Clerk of Court for eventual disbursement to
the appropriate account and/or victim(s). The Defendant also agrees that the full
fine and/or restitution amount shall be considered due and payable

immediately. If the Defendant cannot pay the full amount immediately and is

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placed in custody or under the supervision of the Probation Office at any time,
he agrees that the custodial agency and the Probation Office will have the
authority to establish payment schedules to ensure payment of the fine and/or
restitution. The Defendant understands that this payment schedule represents a
minimum obligation and that, should the Defendant's financial situation
establish that he is able to pay more toward the fine and/or restitution, the
Government is entitled to pursue other sources of recovery of the fine and/or
restitution. The Defendant further agrees to cooperate fully in efforts to collect
the fine and/or restitution obligation by any legal means the Government deems
appropriate. Finally, the Defendant and his counsel agree that the Government
may contact the Defendant regarding the collection of any fine and/or restitution
without notifying and outside the presence of his counsel.

Financial Disclosure

34. The Defendant agrees that the Defendant will not sell, hide, waste,
encumber, destroy, or otherwise devalue any such asset worth more than $500
before sentencing, without the prior approval of the Government. The Defendant
understands and agrees that the Defendant's failure to comply with this
provision of the Plea Agreement should result in the Defendant receiving no
credit for acceptance of responsibility.

35. The Defendant agrees to cooperate fully in the investigation of the amount
of forfeiture, restitution, and fine; the identification of funds and assets in which
he has any legal or equitable interest to be applied toward forfeiture, restitution,

and/or fine; and the prompt payment of restitution or a fine.

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36. The Defendant's cooperation obligations include: (A) fully and truthfully
completing the Department of Justice’s Financial Statement of Debtor form, and
any addenda to said form deemed necessary by the Government, within ten days
of the change of plea hearing; (B) submitting to a financial deposition or
interview (should the Government deem it necessary) prior to sentencing
regarding the subject matter of said form; (C) providing any documentation
within his possession or control requested by the Government regarding his
financial condition and that of his household; (D) fully and truthfully answering
all questions regarding his past and present financial condition and that of his
household in such interview(s); and (E) providing a waiver of his privacy
protections to permit the Government to access his credit report and tax
information held by the Internal Revenue Service.

37. So long as the Defendant is completely truthful, the Government agrees
that anything related by the Defendant during his financial interview or
deposition or in the financial forms described above cannot and will not be used
against him in the Government's criminal prosecution. However, the
Government may use the Defendant's statements to identify and to execute upon
assets to be applied to the fine and/or restitution in this case. Further, the
Government is completely free to pursue any and all investigative leads derived
in any way from the interview(s) /deposition(s) /financial forms, which could
result in the acquisition of evidence admissible against the Defendant in
subsequent proceedings. If the Defendant subsequently takes a position in any

legal proceeding that is inconsistent with the interview(s) /deposition(s)/

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financial forms-whether in pleadings, oral argument, witness testimony,
documentary evidence, questioning of witnesses, or any other manner-the
Government may use the Defendant's interview(s)/deposition(s) / financial
forms, and all evidence obtained directly or indirectly therefrom, in any
responsive pleading and argument and for cross-examination, impeachment, or
rebuttal evidence. Further, the Government may also use the Defendant's
interview(s)/deposition(s) /financial forms to respond to arguments made or

issues raised sua sponte by the Magistrate or District Court.

Recommendations/Stipulations Non-binding

38. The Defendant understands and agrees that the recommendations of the
Government incorporated within this Plea Agreement, as well as any
stipulations of fact or guideline computations incorporated within this Plea
Agreement or otherwise discussed between the parties, are not binding on the
Court and that the Court's failure to accept one or more of the recommendations,
stipulations, and/or guideline computations will not constitute grounds to

withdraw his guilty plea or to claim a breach of this Plea Agreement.

Limited Waiver of Appeal

39. LIMITED WAIVER OF APPEAL: To the maximum extent permitted by
federal law, the Defendant voluntarily and expressly waives the right to appeal
his conviction and sentence and the right to collaterally attack his conviction and
sentence in any post-conviction proceeding (including, but not limited to,
motions filed pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255) on any ground, except that the

Defendant may file a direct appeal of an upward departure or upward variance

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above the sentencing guideline range as calculated by the District Court. Claims
that the Defendant's counsel rendered constitutionally ineffective assistance are
excepted from this waiver. The Defendant understands that this Plea Agreement
does not limit the Government's right to appeal, but if the Government initiates a
direct appeal of the sentence imposed, the Defendant may file a cross-appeal of

that same sentence.

Miscellaneous Waivers

FOIA/Privacy Act Waiver

40. The Defendant hereby waives all rights, whether asserted directly or by a
representative, to request or receive from any department or agency of the
United States any records pertaining to the investigation or prosecution of this
case, including, without limitation, any records that may be sought under the
Freedom of Information Act, Title 5, United States Code, Section 552, or the

Privacy Act of 1974, Title 5, United States Code, Section 552a.

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Filed 03/11/21 Page 19 of 22

No Other Agreements

41. There are no other agreements, promises, representations, or

understandings between the Defendant and the Government.

In Open Court this day of

/ .
SIGNATURE (Defendant’s Attorney)
Anthony Egbase

SIGNATURE (Assistant U.S. Attorney)
Tal C. Chaiken

SIGNATURE (Assistant U.S. Attorney)
Nathan P. Kitchens

SIGNATURE (Approving Official)
Stephen H. McClain

SIGNATORE | (Defendant)

Bern Benoit

DANIEL KAHN (ACTING CHIEF, FRAUD SECTION)

SIGNATURE (Trial Attorney)
Babasijibomi Moore

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I have read the Indictment against me and have discussed it with my
attorney. I understand the charges and the elements of each charge that the
Government would have to prove to convict me at a trial. I have read the
foregoing Plea Agreement and have carefully reviewed every part of it with my
attorney. I understand the terms and conditions contained in the Plea
Agreement, and I voluntarily agree to them. I also have discussed with my
attorney the rights I may have to appeal or challenge my conviction and
sentence, and I understand that the appeal waiver contained in the Plea
Agreement will prevent me, with the narrow exceptions stated, from appealing
my conviction and sentence or challenging my conviction and sentence in any
post-conviction proceeding. No one has threatened or forced me to plead guilty,
and no promises or inducements have been made to me other than those
discussed in the Plea Agreement. The discussions between my attorney and the
Government toward reaching a negotiated plea in this case took place with my
permission. I am fully satisfied with the representation provided to me by my

attorney in this case.

LE. —— 03/10/2021

SIGNAPURE(Beténdant) DATE

Bern Benoit

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Lam Bern Benoit a/k/a Burn Benoit’s lawyer. I have carefully reviewed the

charges and the Plea Agreement with my client. To my knowledge, my client is

making an informed and voluntary decision to plead guilty and to enter into the

Plea Agreement.
SIGNATURE (Defendant's Attorney) DATE
Anthony Egbase
Anthony Egbase Bern Benoit
World Trade Center
350 S. Figueroa Street, Suite 189 211 North Valley Street, Apt. 408
Los Angeles, CA 90071 Burbank, CA 91505

213-620-7070

181721 State Bar of California Number

Filed in Open Court
This __ day of 20__
By

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Case 1:20-cr-00296-JPB-

CMS Document 100-1 Filed 03/11/21 Page 22 of 22

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Statement of Special Assessment Account
This statement reflects your special assessment only. There may be other
penalties imposed at sentencing.

ACCOUNT INFORMATION

CRIMINAL ACTION NO.: | 1:20-cr-296-JPB-AJB

DEFENDANT’S NAME: BERN BENOIT A/K/A BURN BENOIT
PAY THIS AMOUNT: $100
Instructions:

1. Payment must be made by certified check or money order payable to:
Clerk of Court, U.S. District Court
*personal checks will not be accepted*
2. Payment must be made to the clerk’s office by the day of sentencing.
3. Payment should be sent or hand delivered to:

Clerk, U.S. District Court
2211 U.S. Courthouse

75 Ted Turner Drive SW
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
(Do Not Send Cash)

4. Include the defendant’s name on certified check or money order.

Enclose this coupon to insure proper and prompt application of payment.

6. Provide proof of payment to the above-signed AUSA within 30 days of the

guilty plea.

22


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