Gordon v. United States
United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
203 F.2d 248 (1953)
Relevant factsFree
Gordon and other partners in a sewing-machine business (defendants) were convicted of willfully violating credit-sale regulations under the Defense Production Act, based on jury instructions imputing to the partners the knowledge and record-keeping acts of their salespeople and each other while acting within the scope of employment; the partners appealed, arguing they personally lacked knowledge or intent to violate the law.
IssueFree
Whether, in cases involving public welfare offenses, an employer may be held criminally liable for the knowledge and acts of its employees.
Related cases
Commonwealth v. Beneficial Finance Co.275 N.E.2d 33 (1971)People v. Canadian Fur Trappers' Corp.161 N.E. 455 (1928)Granite Construction Co. v. Superior Court197 Cal. Rptr. 3 (1984)People v. Clayton728 P.2d 723 (Colo. 1986)New York Central & Hudson River Railroad Co. v. United States212 U.S. 481 (1909)