Hendler v. United States of America

Filing 2

RULING Denying 1 Motion to Vacate, Set Aside, or Correct Sentence (2255) filed by Paul S. Hendler. Signed by District Judge J. Garvan Murtha on 7/18/2017. (kak)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE
DISTRICT OF VERMONT
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
v.
PAUL HENDLER,
Defendant.
_________________________________

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Case No. 1:11-cr-110-jgm

RULING ADOPTING REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION
The Magistrate Judge's thorough and well-reasoned Report and Recommendation was filed
June 13, 2017. (Doc. 96.) Upon review and absent objection, the Report and Recommendation is
AFFIRMED, APPROVED and ADOPTED.1 See 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1). Paul Hendler’s motion
filed under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 to vacate, set aside, or correct his sentence and his motion for a hearing
are DENIED.
Specifically, Hendler’s claim of ineffective assistance of counsel with regard to restitution
and to forfeiture are denied because such claims are not cognizable under § 2255. As the Magistrate
Judge cogently explained, § 2255 allows petitioners to challenge only the custodial elements of a
sentence and neither restitution nor forfeiture amount to custody in this case. See Doc. 96 at 28-30,
41-42.
Further, a certificate of appealability under 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c) and Fed. R. App. P. 22(b) is
also DENIED because Hendler has failed to make a substantial showing for denial of a federal
right, and because his grounds for relief do not present issues that are debatable among jurists of
reason, which could have been resolved differently, or which deserve further proceedings. Slack v.
McDaniel, 529 U.S. 473, 484 (2000).

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The Court notes the IRS determined Hendler defrauded Green Mountain Digital of
$14,485. See Doc. 96 at 5.

It is further certified that any appeal taken in forma pauperis from this Order would not be
taken in good faith because such an appeal would be frivolous. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a).
SO ORDERED.
Dated at Brattleboro, in the District of Vermont, this 18th day of July, 2017.

/s/ J. Garvan Murtha
Hon. J. Garvan Murtha
United States District Judge

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