In
In re Davenport,
The accused timely petitioned this court for reconsideration. We allow his petition for reconsideration to correct the court’s discussion of materiality as it relates to 18 USC section 1623. In all other respects, we adhere to the former opinion, including the conclusions respecting the accused’s violations and the sanction.
In defining the term “material” for purposes of 18 USC section 1623, this court stated:
“In the context of a deposition or similar examination, the Ninth Circuit generally has concluded that a false declaration is material under 18 USC section 1623 if a truthful answer ‘is relevant to any subsidiary issue under consideration’ and the false declaration had a ‘natural tendency to influence, or was capable of influencing,’ the decision-making body to which it was addressed. See U.S. v. Clark, 918 F2d 843, 846 (9th Cir 1990) (setting out that standard under 18 USC section 1621, for purposes of civil deposition), overruled on other grounds by U.S. v. Keys,95 F3d 874 (9th Cir 1996); United States v. Rahman, Nos 91-10364, 91-10365, 91-10376, 91-10416, 1992, WL 363672 at *3 (9th Cir Dec 9 1992) (applying Clark to deposition for purposes of 18 USC section 1623).”
Although Ninth Circuit Local Rule 36-3 is not binding upon this court, we agree, as a matter of comity, to withdraw the citation to
Rahman.
We also agree that, to determine
if
a false statement is “material” for purposes of 18 USC section 1623, the proper inquiry focuses upon whether the false statement has “a natural tendency to influence, or [be] capable of influencing, the decision of the decisionmaking body to which it was addressed.”
Gaudin,
The petition for reconsideration is allowed. The former opinion is modified and, as modified, is adhered to.
