<FONT face="courier new, courier, mono">If the United States charges someone with conspiracy under 18 U.S.C. 371, here is something interesting I have discovered:
In order for this statue to be applicable, the offense must have been commited against the <U>United States</U> or an <U>agency</U> thereof.
I find this rather unlikely, yet every day people are charged with conspiracy this, conspiracy that, even though the crime has NOT been commited against the United States or agency thereof.
Please see the cites below and let me know any thoughts on this...</FONT>
<HR>
Sec. 371. - Conspiracy to commit offense or to defraud United States
If two or more persons conspire either to commit any offense against the
<U>United States</U>, or to defraud the
<U>United States</U>, or any
<U>agency</U> thereof in any manner or for any purpose, and one or more of such persons do any act to effect the object of the conspiracy, each shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.
<P class=catchline>
Sec. 5. - United States defined
The term
<U>''United States''</U>, as used in this title in a territorial sense, includes all places and waters, continental or insular, subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, except the Canal Zone
<P class=catchline>
Sec. 6. - Department and agency defined
The term ''
<U>agency</U>'' includes any department, independent establishment, commission, administration, authority, board or bureau of the United States <U>
or any corporation in which the United States has a proprietary interest</U>, unless the context shows that such term was intended to be used in a more limited sense.
<P class=catchline>NOTES: The phrase <U>
'corporation in which the United States has a proprietary intrest'</U> is intended to include those governmental corporations in which stock is not actually issued, as well as those in which stock is owned by the United States.