X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER Plaintiff the United States of America brings this action to denaturalize defendant Nadine Avia Whittingham as a result of her 2008 conviction for bank fraud. The U.S. now moves for judgment on the pleadings, citing the trial record. This Court grants the motion. I. Facts In 1995, Whittingham obtained lawful residence status in the United States. In January of 2006, she filed a Form N-400 application for naturalization. She was interviewed in connection with her application that April. As part of the interview process, Whittingham represented that she had never committed a crime for which she was not arrested. On April 25, 2006, Whittingham’s application was granted, and on May 12, 2006, she took the Oath of Allegiance and was admitted to U.S. citizenship. On or about October 16, 2008, a jury in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York convicted Whittingham of bank fraud and conspiracy to commit bank fraud. The superseding indictment in that case charged Whittingham and her co-defendants with criminal activity extending “[f]rom at least in or about October 2005, up to and including in or about February 2006.” Decl. of L. Solovechik, Exhibit G. II. Law A. Rule 12(c) Standard A motion for judgment on the pleadings “is designed to provide a means of disposing of cases when the material facts are not in dispute.” Rivera v. Schweiker, 717 F.2d 719, 722 n.1 (2d Cir. 1983) (quoting 5C Charles Alan Wright & Arthur R. Miller, Federal Practice and Procedure §1367). Akin to a motion to dismiss, all reasonable inferences must be drawn “in favor of the nonmoving party.” Kass v. City of New York, 864 F.3d 200, 206 (2d Cir. 2017). B. Denaturalization Title 8, United States Code §1451(a) mandates revocation of naturalized citizenship upon a showing that the “order and certificate of naturalization were illegally procured or were procured by concealment of a material fact or by willful misrepresentation.” Citizenship is “illegally procured” if it was obtained without “strict compliance with all the congressionally imposed prerequisites to the acquisition of citizenship.” Fedorenko v. United States, 449 U.S. 490, 506 (1981). One such prerequisite is that an applicant for naturalization demonstrate good moral character during “the five years immediately preceding the date of filing his application” and “up to the time of admission to citizenship.” 8 U.S.C. §1427(a). By statute, an applicant cannot satisfy that requirement if he or she committed a “crime involving moral turpitude” during the relevant time period. See 8 U.S.C. §1101(f)(3) (cross-referencing 8 U.S.C. §1182(a)(2)(A)(i)). The government faces a stiff burden when trying to denaturalize those to whom it has granted citizenship: “The evidence justifying revocation of citizenship must be clear, unequivocal, and convincing and not leave the issue in doubt.” Fedorenko v. United States, 449 U.S. 490, 505 (1981). This burden is “substantially identical” the burden in a criminal case — the government must demonstrate proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Klapprott v. United States, 335 U.S. 601, 612 (1949). III. Application Here, the parties do not dispute that Whittingham was convicted of bank fraud and conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Nor can there be any argument that bank fraud is not a crime of “moral turpitude.” See, e.g., United States v. Merino, No. 20-CV-24093-KMM, 2021 WL 4976248 (S.D. Fla. July 26, 2021), report and recommendation adopted, No. 1:20-CV-24093-KMM, 2021 WL 4099055 (S.D. Fla. Sept. 9, 2021). The dispute here is narrow: Whether, as a matter of the pleadings, it is indisputable that Whittingham committed her crimes during the statutory good moral character period. This Court finds that the pleadings reflect that she did, and therefore, the government’s motion is granted. “[A] conviction — whether based on a trial or a guilty plea — is conclusive proof of the underlying facts upon which it rests and the defendant is estopped from litigating those facts in any future proceeding.” S.E.C. v. Penn, 225 F. Supp. 3d 225, 233 (S.D.N.Y. 2016). Here, Whittingham was convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude — namely, bank fraud and conspiracy to commit bank fraud — for acts that occurred during the statutory lookback period. Whittingham asserts that judgment on the pleadings is inappropriate because she avers in her answer that she does not recall whether the bank fraud occurred during the statutory period. She is correct that, in general, “[a] party moving for a judgment on the pleadings impliedly admits the truth of its adversary’s allegations and the falsity of its own assertions that have been denied by that adversary.” 5C C. Wright & A. Miller, FED. PRAC. & PROC. §1370. Nonetheless, Whittingham’s argument fails for two reasons: First, she does not actually allege the falsity of the government’s allegations. Rather, she admits that the “indictment speaks for itself.” Answer at

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

More From ALM

With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
September 05, 2024
New York, NY

The New York Law Journal honors attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession in New York.


Learn More
July 22, 2024 - July 24, 2024
Lake Tahoe, CA

GlobeSt. Women of Influence Conference celebrates the women who drive the commercial real estate industry forward.


Learn More
September 06, 2024
Johannesburg

The African Legal Awards recognise exceptional achievement within Africa s legal community during a period of rapid change.


Learn More

We are seeking an associate to join our Employee Benefits practice. Candidates should have three to six years of employee benefits experienc...


Apply Now ›

The George Washington University Law School invites applications for tenure-track or tenured clinical faculty appointment, at the rank of As...


Apply Now ›

Company Description CourtLaw Injury Lawyers is an established Personal Injury Law Firm with its primary office located in Perth Amboy, New J...


Apply Now ›
06/27/2024
The American Lawyer

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›
06/21/2024
Daily Business Review

Full Page Announcement


View Announcement ›
06/14/2024
New Jersey Law Journal

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›