United States v. Hanzlicek, 187 F.3d 1228 (10th Cir. 1999)

MURPHY, Circuit Judge.

I. INTRODUCTION

Bill Hanzlieek was convicted, following a jury trial, of one count of conspiracy in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371, two counts of mail fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1341, and one count of attempting to pass a

falsely made obligation of the United States in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 472. Hanzlicek’s convictions arose out of a conspiracy on the part of himself and others to avoid their debts through the use of fraudulent “checks.” Hanzlicek raises the following five alleged errors in asserting that his convictions should be reversed on appeal: (1) an impermissible variance existed between the indictment, which alleged a single conspiracy, and the government’s proof at trial, which supposedly established the existence of multiple conspiracies; (2) the district court erred in tendering a deliberate ignorance instruction to the jury; (3) the district court erred in allowing a government agent to give hearsay testimony regarding $1.8 million in losses supposedly sustained from similar/related fraudulent checks; (4) the government violated its duties under Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83, 83 S.Ct. 1194, 10 L.Ed.2d 215 (1963), in failing to produce evidence of any losses resulting from the Schweitzer checks; and .(5) the evidence was not sufficient to support his conviction for passing a counterfeit obligation in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 472. This court exercises jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291 and affirms.

II. BACKGROUND

Hanzlicek and his wife, Karen Hanzlicek (hereinafter “Mrs. Hanzlicek”),1 were charged by indictment with conspiracy, bank fraud,2 mail fraud, and passing a counterfeit obligation of the United States. The charges arose out of the Hanzlieeks’ participation in two related anti-government groups: the Kansas “common law court” and the Freeman movement headquartered in Montana. As part of a scheme engaged in and supported by both groups, the Hanzlieeks mailed counterfeit checks totaling $1,240,000 to banks, bank subsidiaries, and others. The Hanzlieeks acquired the fraudulent checks and learned the methodology of the scheme from LeRoy M. Schweitzer, the leader of the Montana Freemen.

Specifically, the Hanzlieeks mailed or hand delivered the following fraudulent checks to creditors in an attempt to satisfy their personal debts: $1,000,000 to the recorder of Jackson County, Kansas, for a notary public bond for Hahzlicek3; $180,-000 to FGB Realty Advisors, Inc. (a wholly owned subsidiary of First Nationwide Bank) to satisfy a $56,000 debt; $60,000 to Ag America (FOB) to satisfy a debt of $35,619. Because the checks were for amounts much greater than the debts owed, the Hanzlieeks requested refunds of the remaining amounts. The superseding indictment charged that the Hanzlieeks, with the help of unindicted co-conspirator Rockie Broaddus, a “de jure notary public” and “sui juris” of the common law court,4 mailed a false and fraudulent “Common Law Affidavit of protest” to some of the victims when the checks were not honored.

Tommie Canady, a FBI special agent who investigated the criminal activities of Schweitzer and the Montana Freemen, testified for the government. His testimony included information from an FBI investi

gation that began monitoring Schweitzer seminars in December of 1995. At the seminars, Schweitzer discussed the use of fraudulent checks to avoid the payment of debts and to obtain large refunds of “over-payments.” These “checks” contained the caption “Certified Banker’s Check” and/or “Comptroller Warrant” and bore the number of a Norwest Bank account. Persons attending a Freemen seminar received these checks after attending the meeting, usually after paying Schweitzer a donation. In addition, seminar attendees were taught to file a lien against those to whom the checks were presented in the event the checks were not honored. On July 21 and November 4, 1995, Mrs. Hanzlicek attended Freemen seminars in Montana presented by Schweitzer.

The government also introduced and played taped conversations between Mrs. Hanzlicek and Schweitzer. These recordings were the result of government wiretaps. The conversations included discussion about the checks, liens, and procedures Schweitzer wanted his classes to follow, the Freemen movement, and the “common law court” movement in Kansas.

III. ANALYSIS

Hanzlicek argues that an impermissible variance exists between the indictment, which alleged a single, overarching conspiracy, and the evidence adduced at trial, which demonstrated multiple independent conspiracies. To obtain a conspiracy conviction, the government must prove that: (1) there was an agreement to violate the law; (2) the defendants knew the essential objectives of the conspiracy; (3) the defendants knowingly and voluntarily participated in the conspiracy; and (4) interdependence existed among the coconspirators. See United States v. Ailsworth, 138 F.3d 843, 850 (10th Cir.), cert. denied, - U.S. -, 119 S.Ct. 221, 142 L.Ed.2d 181 (1998). These elements may be proven by direct or circumstantial evidence. See United States v. Evans, 970 F.2d 663, 668 (10th Cir.1992).

“A variance arises when the evidence adduced at trial establishes facts different from those alleged in an indictment.” See United States v. Edwards, 69 F.3d 419, 432 (10th Cir.1995). Any such variance is reversible error only if it affects the substantial rights of the accused. Ailsworth, 138 F.3d at 848. “Accordingly, where a single conspiracy is charged in the indictment, and the government proves only multiple conspiracies, a defendant who suffers substantial prejudice must have his conviction reversed.” Edwards, 69 F.3d at 432 (citing Kotteakos v. United States, 328 U.S. 750, 773-74, 66 S.Ct. 1239, 90 L.Ed. 1557 (1946)). A variance is prejudicial when guilt is imputed to one defendant from another defendant’s conduct. See Kotteakos, 328 U.S. at 775-77, 66 S.Ct. 1239.

The issue of whether a single conspiracy existed is a question of fact for the jury; this court reviews the jury’s decision on the question in the light most favorable to the government. See Edwards, 69 F.3d at 432. The inquiry focuses on whether the necessary interdependence existed between the coconspirators. See id. Interdependence exists when each alleged coconspirator’s activities “constituted essential and integral steps toward the realization of a common, illicit goal.” Id. (quotation omitted).

During the trial, evidence was admitted regarding not only the conspiracy as charged in the indictment, but additional conspiracies involving Schweitzer and others. Nevertheless, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the government, there was sufficient evidence to prove a single conspiracy. The admissible evidence at trial demonstrates an ongoing course of conduct between the Hanzliceks, Schweitzer, and others in order to achieve a common illicit goal — to profit from the fraudulent presentation of checks and the filing of liens. In addition, there was sufficient evidence, again viewed in the light most favorable to the government, to es

tablish the necessary interdependence in this case. The scheme depended on the Hanzliceks following the procedures Schweitzer taught in his seminars, Schweitzer suggested that Mrs. Hanzlicek send him some of the excess money after the checks were cashed, and she considered doing so. The money returned to Schweitzer from other c'oconspirators could also be used to further the scheme. In addition, any apparent success of others in cashing these checks assisted the promotion of the scheme. Moreover, it should be noted that the jury could infer that Hanzlicek knowingly assisted Mrs. HanzlN cek in furthering the conspiracy regarding the worthless instruments.

Hanzlicek contends the district court erred in tendering a deliberate ignorance instruction to the jury. We examine jury instructions as a whole to evaluate their adequacy, and review the propriety of tendering an individual instruction de novo. See United States v. de Francisco-Lopez, 939 F.2d 1405, 1409 (10th Cir.1991). This court has held that the giving of a deliberate ignorance instruction is appropriate only when the prosecution presents evidence that the defendant purposely contrived to avoid learning all of the facts in order to have a defense in the event of a subsequent prosecution. Id This court recognizes that the use of a deliberate ignorance instruction “is rarely appropri-' ate ... because it is a rare occasion when the prosecution can present evidence that the defendant deliberately avoided knowledge.” United States v. Hilliard, 31 F.3d 1509, 1514 (10th Cir.1994); see also de Francisco-Lopez, 939 F.2d at 1409. That, however, does not require direct evidence of conscious avoidance or deprive the government of the benefits of inferences from circumstantial evidence. See de Francisco-Lopez, 939 F.2d at 1410. Nor does it change the appellate perspective that this court views the evidence in the light most favorable to the government. See id.

In light of these principles, the evidence was sufficient to support the giving of the instruction in this case. At trial, the prosecution elicited testimony from Agent Ca-nady and the Hanzliceks regarding the highly suspicious circumstances surrounding the Schweitzer check scheme. This circumstantial evidence is probative of Hanzlicek’s deliberate ignorance. Id. at 1412 (noting that in some eases “the clues of association with the crime charged [are] so obvious that the clues, combined with suspicion, necessarily implicate[] the defendant”). Moreover, the government elicited testimony that Hanzlicek was, in fact, suspicious about the validity of the Schweitzer checks. See United States v. Lee, 54 F.3d 1534, 1538-39 (10th Cir.1995) (In evaluating the propriety of a deliberate ignorance instruction, “ ‘[t]he evidence must establish that the defendant had subjective knowledge of the criminal behavior. Such knowledge may not be evaluated under an objective, reasonable person test.’ ” (quoting de Francisco-Lopez, 939 F.2d at 1409)). In addition, the government adduced testimony from the Hanzliceks indicating that despite several opportunities to do so, Hanzlicek “purposely” declined to learn more about the Schweitzer checks or the common law documents, utilized in an attempt to intimidate recipients into cashing the checks.5 In light of this circumstantial and direct evidence, we conclude

that the prosecution adduced sufficient evidence to support the giving of the deliberate ignorance instruction.

Hanzlicek argues that the testimony referenced above is irrelevant because the testimony relates solely to his participation in and connection to common law courts. See Appellant Brief at 10 (“Mr. Hanzlicek was being tried for conspiracy and for attempting to pass falsely made United States obligations, not for his participation in or knowledge of common law court activities.”). We find this argument unconvincing. First, as noted above in discussing Hanzlicek’s challenge to his conspiracy conviction, the Freeman checks and common-law court documents were all part of the same conspiracy charged in Count One of the Superseding Indictment. In fact, the great bulk of the intercepted telephone conversations between Mrs. Hanzlicek and Schweitzer concerned the use of common-law court documents to collect on the Freeman checks.6 In light of the fact that the government adduced sufficient evidence to prove a unified conspiracy, it would be improper to compartmentalize the common law courts documents and conclude that Hanzlicek’s actions with regard to those documents is irrelevant to the question of his deliberate ignorance. Second, Hanzlicek gives an unduly narrow reading to the above testimony in concluding that it only relates to common law courts documents. Read in context, and in a light most favorable to the government, the testimony could certainly be read to embrace both the Freeman checks as well as the common-law documents considered necessary to collect on the checks.

Even were this court to conclude that the evidence adduced at trial was not

sufficient to support the giving of the deliberate ignorance instruction, the error would be harmless for those reasons stated by the Eleventh Circuit in United States v. Stone, 9 F.3d 934, 937-42 (11th Cir.1993). In Stone, the court was faced with a situation where the jury was instructed on alternate theories of actual knowledge and deliberate ignorance; the deliberate ignorance instruction given properly stated the law;7 there was sufficient, but not overwhelming, evidence of actual knowledge; and, finally, there was insufficient evidence to support the giving of a deliberate ignorance instruction. Id. at 937. Under these circumstances, the Stone court held that the giving of an unsupported deliberate ignorance instruction was harmless error.

The Stone court concluded that such a result was dictated by the Supreme Court’s decisions in Griffin v. United States, 502 U.S. 46, 112 S.Ct. 466, 116 L.Ed.2d 371 (1991) and Sochor v. Florida, 504 U.S. 527, 112 S.Ct. 2114, 119 L.Ed.2d 326 (1992). With respect to these cases, the Stone court noted as follows:

ory, there is no reason to think that their own intelligence and expertise will save them from that error. Quite the opposite is true, however, when they have been left the option of relying upon a factually inadequate theory, since jurors are well equipped to analyze the evidence.

Stone, 9 F.3d at 938-39.

Having reviewed Griffin and Sochor, this court agrees with the Eleventh Circuit that a district court does not commit reversible error where it submits a properly-defined, although factually unsupported, legal theory to the jury along with a properly supported basis of liability. See Griffin, 502 U.S. at 60, 112 S.Ct. 466 (“What we have said today does not mean that a district court cannot, in its discretion, give an instruction of the sort petitioner requested here, eliminating from the jury’s consideration an alternative basis of liability that does not have adequate evidentiary support. Indeed, if the evidence is insufficient to support an alternative legal theory of liability, it would generally be preferable for the court to give an instruction removing the theory from the jury’s consideration. The refusal to do so, however, does not provide an independent basis for reversing an otherwise valid conviction.” (emphasis added)). Furthermore, the analysis set forth in Stone is entirely consistent with Tenth Circuit precedent. See United States v. Scott, 37 F.3d 1564, 1578-79 (10th Cir.1994) (citing Stone for proposition that giving factually unsupported deliberate ignorance instruction is harmless if evidence of actual knowledge is sufficient); United States v. Pace, 981 F.2d 1123, 1130 (10th Cir.1993) (affirming, on the basis of Griffin, conviction on indictment charging that defendant distributed methamphetamine or amphetamine, despite “total lack of evidence” concerning amphetamine); see also Stone, 9 F.3d at 941 (asserting that rule announced therein is consistent with Tenth Circuit precedent). Accordingly, even assuming that the deliberate ignorance instruction given in this case was not supported by sufficient evidence, the giving of the instruction was harmless.

Hanzlicek claims the district court abused its discretion in admitting hearsay evidence that banks paid out $1.8 million on Schweitzer checks similar to those used by Hanzlicek. This court upholds the district court’s admission of evidence unless the admission constituted an abuse of discretion. See United States v. Lugo, 170 F.3d 996, 1005 (10th Cir.1999).

During trial, the government elicited testimony from Agent Canady that banks had paid out $1.8 million on Schweitzer’s fraudulent checks. Defense counsel objected to the admission of this testimony on hearsay grounds and because the government had never complied with a discovery order to produce documentation of these alleged payments. The district court, however, allowed this testimony to show “the effectiveness of the scheme.” The district court also reasoned that Mrs. Hanzlicek’s counsel had “opened the door” on this issue by questioning Agent Canady about several checks written by Schweitzer

in an effort to prove that the Hanzliceks thought the checks were valid because nothing adverse had happened to Schweitzer. During closing arguments, the government repeatedly referred to the $1.8 million, arguing that this evidence indicates that the checks must have looked “authentic.”

Federal Rule of Evidence 801(c) defines hearsay as “a statement, other than one made by the declarant while testifying at the trial or hearing, offered in evidence to prove the truth of the matter asserted.” Hearsay is not admissible at trial, unless otherwise provided by the Federal Rules of Evidence or other statutory authority. See Fed.R.Evid. 802. The district court found this evidence not to be hearsay because it was admitted to show “the effectiveness of the scheme.” To prove the effectiveness of the check scheme, however, evidence that $1.8 million in fraudulent checks were actually cashed was necessary.

This case provides a prime example of why the hearsay rule is a crucial and necessary evidentiary safeguard to insure a criminal defendant a fair trial. “The hearsay rule seeks to eliminate the danger that evidence will lack reliability because faults in the perception, memory, or narration of the declarant will not be exposed.” 5 Jack B. Weinstein & Margaret A. Berger, Weinstein’s Federal Evidence § 802.02[3], at 802-9 (2d ed.1999). Here, the jury heard unreliable testimony regarding $1.8 million in fraudulent checks being paid out. While the government may prove this point through the use of admissible evidence,8 Agent Canady’s hearsay testimony is simply not admissible.

Having determined that this evidence was erroneously admitted, this court must now determine whether the error was harmless. See Fed.R.Crim.P. 52(a). The harmless error inquiry in these circumstances focuses on whether the erroneously admitted evidence had a substantial influence on the jury’s verdict or leaves this court in grave doubt about whether it did. See United States v. Cass, 127 F.3d 1218, 1225 (10th Cir.1997); see also Kotteakos v. United States, 328 U.S. 750, 765, 66 S.Ct. 1239, 90 L.Ed. 1557 (1946). This court reviews the record as a whole de novo to evaluate whether the error is harmless, examining the context, timing and use of the erroneously admitted evidence at trial and how it compares to properly admitted evidence. See United States v. Glass, 128 F.3d 1398, 1403 (10th Cir.1997).

Hanzlicek argues that the effectiveness of the scheme was critical to the government’s - case. The bank fraud and mail fraud charges in this case both require a showing of fraudulent intent. See United States v. Cochran, 109 F.3d 660, 667 (10th Cir.1997). Neither charge, however, requires that the scheme to defraud result in a monetary loss." See United States v. Hollis, 971 F.2d 1441, 1451 n. 4 (10th Cir.1992) (holding that success of scheme not an element of mail fraud); United States v. Young, 952 F.2d 1252, 1257 (10th Cir.1991) (holding that monetary loss not required for bank fraud conviction). The jury was so instructed. Accordingly, the government was not required to prove that the alleged conspiracy resulted in monetary loss.9

While not unmindful of the effect that evidence of an actual loss could have upon

a jury, this court is required to view the record as a whole in the context of arguments raised. Although the evidence strengthened the government’s case concerning the existence of a scheme to defraud and the resemblance of the instruments to genuine obligations, we conclude that the admission of this evidence was harmless error. This court cannot overlook that Mrs. Hanzlicek introduced, over the government’s objection and without objection from Hanzlicek, evidence concerning nine Schweitzer checks totaling over $35 million that had come to the attention of authorities. Furthermore, Mrs. Hanzlicek persisted in this inquiry at some length, including eliciting details about how some of the checks aroused suspicion. Mrs. Hanzlicek introduced this information to establish that she believed the checks were valid and this belief was supported by the government’s inaction against Schweitzer. Moreover, Mrs. Han-zlicek testified as to her understanding that the checks had been accepted and effective. Although she apparently was attempting to show that she had no fraudulent intent or knowledge, the evidence directly supports the existence and effectiveness of the scheme. Mrs. Hanzlicek’s counsel repeatedly characterized the items as “bogus checks” in his questioning, which also suggests that the scheme was effective, not merely a ruse that no one would take seriously. Under these circumstances, admission of evidence concerning the $1.8 million allegedly paid is harmless.

D. Brady Violations Relating to Losses Attributable to Schweitzer Checks

Hanzlicek also contends that he was prevented from developing effective cross-examination of Agent Canady because the government failed to furnish a summary list, as ordered by the district court, of victims who had received Mr. Schweitzer’s fraudulent cheeks and information regarding the cashing of those checks. The government did not turn over the list to defense counsel until after the trial. When asked during oral argument why the list was not turned over to defense counsel as ordered, the Assistant United States Attorney (“AUSA”) responded, “It would have been better practice .... I don’t know why [the list was not turned over].... It was a mistake and negligence on my part.” After the trial, and before sentencing the defendants, the trial judge stated: “[M]any of these checks on this 1.8 million dollar list that the agent testified that there had been losses on, at least it appears that there was no loss, there was in fact no loss at all.” In addition, at oral argument, the AUSA admitted that there is no evidence that the checks actually had been cashed. In upholding Hanzlicek’s conviction, the district court found that the introduction of evidence of $1.8 million in losses was not material to the case.

It is certainly troubling that the government never produced the list of Schweitzer checks resulting in the claimed $1.8 million paid. Nevertheless, this court cannot conclude that the government’s failure to produce the list resulted in a violation of Brady. Hanzlicek argues that he made a specific request for such information, and that the list of checks would have enabled him to impeach Agent Canady. To establish a Brady violation, Hanzlicek must demonstrate that evidence was (1) suppressed by the prosecution, (2) favorable to him, and (3) material, meaning that had the evidence been disclosed to the defense, a reasonable probability exists that the result of the trial would have been different. See Moore v. Reynolds, 153 F.3d 1086, 1112 (10th Cir.1998), cert. denied, - U.S. -, 119 S.Ct. 1266, 143 L.Ed.2d 362 (1999). Materiality is gauged on the basis of the whole record, considering the undisclosed evidence collectively. See Kyles v. Whitley, 514 U.S. 419, 436, 115 S.Ct. 1555, 131 L.Ed.2d 490 (1995). A specific request for information may lower the threshold for materiality. See Smith v. Secretary of N.M. Dep’t of Corrections, 50 F.3d 801, 826 (10th Cir.1995). Nevertheless, we agree with the district court that the evidence at issue here is not mate

rial because it does not create a reasonable probability that the outcome of the trial would have been different. Stated another way, “[t]he mere possibility that an item of undisclosed information might have helped the defense, or might have affected the outcome of the trial, does not establish ‘materiality’ in the constitutional sense.” United States v. Agurs, 427 U.S. 97, 109-10, 96 S.Ct. 2392, 49 L.Ed.2d 342 (1976). In the context of what the government was required to prove, the significance of whether banks actually cashed these checks is of far less importance than suggested by Hanzlicek.

Hanzlicek argues that the evidence adduced at trial is insufficient to support his conviction for attempting to pass a falsely made obligation of the United States in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 472. In particular, he claims that the instruments in question were not falsely made obligations or securities of the United States as required by § 472. In challenging his conviction on sufficiency-of-the-evidence grounds, Hanzlicek is “faced with a high hurdle: in reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence to support a jury verdict, this court must review the record de novo and ask only whether taking the evidenee-both direct and circumstantial, together with the reasonable inferences to be drawn therefrom-in the light most favorable to the government, a reasonable jury could find the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.” See United States v. Voss, 82 F.3d 1521, 1524-25 (10th Cir.1996) (quotations omitted).

This court concludes there was sufficient evidence admitted at trial to sustain Han-zlicek’s conviction under § 472. First, contrary to his contentions, the “Certified Bankers Check” in this case clearly falls within the definition of “obligation or other security of the United States” which includes “checks, or drafts for money, drawn by or upon authorized officers of the United States.” -18 U.S.C. § 8. The instrument involved in the indictment was purportedly drawn on the ‘ Treasurer united [sic] States of America” and “Redeemable at office of Postmaster.” A reasonable jury could easily conclude that it attempted to imitate a United States government obligation.

Hanzlicek also claims that the evidence is insufficient because the instruments were not of such a quality to be calculated to deceive an honest and sensible person of ordinary care, as required under § 472. In so doing, he states the standard for and derives support from cases involving uttering or possessing counterfeit currency. See United States v. Cantwell, 806 F.2d 1463, 1470 & n. 5 (10th Cir.1986); United States v. Grismore, 546 F.2d 844, 849 (10th Cir.1976); United States v. Drumright, 534 F.2d 1383, 1385-86 (10th Cir.1976). Hanzlicek, however, was convicted of “attempt[ing] to pass, utter, and publish a falsely made obligation or security of the United States, namely, a false and fraudulent ‘Certified Bankers Check’ ‘Comptroller Warrant’, number 1310, in the amount of $180,000.00.” As this court discusses below, the terms “falsely made” and “counterfeit” are not synonymous in these circumstances. See United States v. Parnell, 581 F.2d 1374, 1381 (10th Cir.1978).

Hanzlicek argues the government must prove that an actual government obligation was replicated to support a conviction under § 472. An attempt to pass a falsely made obligation does not, however, require similitude where the obligation is most charitably described as a hybrid instrument given its non-standard form and nomenclature. Unlike a case involving possession or uttering counterfeit currency where the instrument must bear a likeness to the original, here no original exists. The government does not issue obligations of the form devised by Schweitzer and utilized by the Hanzliceks. It is sufficient that the government prove the instrument is falsely made, one that purports to be what it is not: an obligation of the United States, apparently in the form of a check.

IY. CONCLUSION

For those reasons set forth above, Han-zlicek’s convictions are hereby AFFIRMED.

PAUL KELLY, Jr., Circuit Judge,

concurring.

I concur in the court’s opinion, except the portion of § III(B) that upholds use of a deliberate ignorance instruction. Even viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the government, see United States v. de Francisco-Lopez, 939 F.2d 1405, 1409 (10th Cir.1991), the evidence in this case fell short of proving that the defendant purposely contrived to avoid learning the truth. See United States v. Hilliard, 31 F.3d 1509, 1514 (10th Cir.1994). Though the prosecution attempted to elicit such evidence, the responses it received did not suffice.

For a deliberate ignorance instruction to be appropriate, the evidence must show that the defendant subjectively knew that the activity was criminal, not that a “reasonable person” would have known. See de Francisco-Lopez, 939 F.2d at 1409. It is not enough that the defendant should have known about the criminal venture, recklessly disregarded the truth, or was negligent in failing to inquire. See id. at 1410-11.

In my view, none of the evidence in this case establishes a direct or circumstantial inference that Mr. Hanzlicek deliberately acted to avoid actual knowledge of the illegality of the checks he signed or the collection procedures employed. Mr. Han-zlicek testified that he discussed the checks with his wife and expressed some skepticism to her, but she reassured him, explaining that the checks helped others pay off bills and Mr. Schweitzer wanted to help farmers in trouble. He stated that he was not interested in reading the documents his wife gave him to sign, and that he customarily signed documents he did not read or fully understand because his wife asked him to and she had not steered him wrong before. Such conduct does not rise to the level of intentionally failing to learn facts that would reveal that Mr. Schweitzer’s checks or collection scheme were fraudulent. Mr. Hanzlicek could be characterized as negligent or reckless in his actions. However, this does not support a deliberate ignorance instruction. See id. In addition, Mr. Hanzlicek’s testimony goes to actual knowledge of whether the checks and other documents were illegal, and this evidence cannot be used to prove deliberate ignorance of their illegality. See id. at 1410.

The government relies heavily upon the following testimony of Mr. Hanzlicek in support of the deliberate ignorance instruction:

Ct. Op. at 1233-34 n. 5. When Mr. Hanzli-cek gave these answers, he was being questioned about “everything that was written by the common law courts,” not about the fraudulent checks or common law court documents specifically used to collect on the fraudulent checks. It is a stretch to say that Mr. Hanzlicek’s failure to read and understand every document produced or relied upon by the common law court movement, including the Magna Carta and the Montana Constitution, provides evidence of deliberate ignorance. Surely not every unidentified document connected to the common law court is in-culpatory, even given a conspiracy. Under this circuit’s precedent, the answers to the prosecutor’s questions hardly show that Mr. Hanzlicek purposely contrived to avoid learning the truth about the checks or

collection documents in order to have a defense in the event of prosecution.

To be sure, the prosecution tried to elicit testimony from Mr. Hanzlicek that he deliberately avoided inquiry into the illegality of the documents he signed, but Mr. Han-zlicek’s response merely indicates that he did not carefully scrutinize all of the common law court documents because he was not interested,in these documents and did not understand them. Disinterest and lack of understanding on a defendant’s part do not become deliberate ignorance merely because the scheme would benefit him, even when the benefits may be substantial. Taken in context and in the light most favorable to the government, the testimony simply does not support deliberate ignorance with respect to the checks and the collection documents.'

Assuming error in the tendering of the deliberate ignorance instruction, the next inquiry is harmless error. According to our precedent, this determination should be made by examining the strength of the evidence against Mr. Hanzlicek, the wording of the deliberate ignorance instruction, and whether the other instructions negate any adverse effects of the improper instruction. See Hilliard, 31 F.3d at 1516; United States v. Sasser, 974 F.2d 1544, 1552 (10th Cir.1992); United States v. Barbee, 968 F.2d 1026, 1033 (10th Cir.1992). We are also bound by the decision in United States v. Scott, 37 F.3d 1564, 1578-79 (10th Cir.1994), which applied the rationale of United States v. Stone, 9 F.3d 934, 941 (11th Cir.1993). The Scott panel cited that portion of Stone explaining how Tenth Circuit cases were consistent with Stone. See Scott, 37 F.3d at 1578.

Here, the deliberate ignorance instruction has a proper subjective focus, and the instructions as a whole contain language regarding knowing and intentional conduct. Looking at the strength of the evidence against Mr. Hanzlicek in the light most favorable to the government, a rational jury could convict Mr. Hanzlicek of the charged offenses. Mr. Hanzlicek endorsed the checks, and certainly would have benefitted had the scheme been successful. Regarding actual knowledge, Mr. Hanzlicek testified to his awareness of a 1993' “common law lien” (on which his signature appeared) that was an attempt to avoid a debt. See XVII R. at 521-24. Where evidence of actual knowledge is lacking, it is reversible error to give a deliberate ignorance instruction. See United States v. Ebert, 178 F.3d 1287, 1999 WL 261590, *31-33 (4th Cir.1999) (unpublished) (applying Stone). That is not the case here; hence, any error in giving the deliberate ignorance was harmless. See United States v. Adeniji, 31 F.3d 58, 62-63 (2d Cir.1994) (considering evidence of actual knowledge in applying Stone). Of course, even with the Stone harmless error analysis, the deliberate ignorance instruction should be used cautiously. See United States v. Mari, 47 F.3d 782, 786 (6th Cir.1995) (“We do, however, admonish the district courts against giving the deliberate ignorance instruction indiscriminately.”).