Legal Definitions - circle conspiracy

A circle conspiracy, also commonly referred to as a wheel conspiracy, describes a type of criminal agreement where a central individual or group (known as the "hub") coordinates and interacts with multiple other individuals or groups (known as the "spokes").

In this structure, each "spoke" typically has a direct relationship with the "hub" but does not necessarily interact with or even know the other "spokes." The critical element for it to be considered a single, overarching conspiracy is that all participants, including the "spokes," understand they are part of a larger, common scheme or enterprise orchestrated by the "hub," even if they only deal with the central figure.

Here are some examples to illustrate a circle conspiracy:

• Example 1: Drug Trafficking Network

  Imagine a major drug lord (the hub) who operates a large distribution network. This drug lord supplies illegal substances to several independent street-level dealers (the spokes) in different neighborhoods. Each dealer receives their supply directly from the drug lord and sells it in their assigned territory. While the dealers might not know each other, they are all aware that they are part of the drug lord's larger operation to distribute drugs across the city. Each dealer's actions, though independent of other dealers, contribute to the overall success of the drug lord's enterprise.

  This illustrates a circle conspiracy because the drug lord is the central figure coordinating the entire operation. Each dealer (spoke) has a direct connection to the drug lord (hub) and understands they are part of a broader drug distribution scheme, even without direct contact with other dealers.

• Example 2: Financial Fraud Scheme

  Consider a scam artist (the hub) who devises a scheme to defraud investors through a fake investment opportunity. The scam artist recruits several individuals (the spokes) to act as "front men" or "account holders." Each "spoke" is instructed to open a bank account under a different name or company and then transfer funds received from unsuspecting investors to the scam artist. The "spokes" might not know each other, but they all understand they are providing a service to the scam artist to facilitate the fraudulent collection and movement of money.

  This demonstrates a circle conspiracy because the scam artist is the central orchestrator. Each individual account holder (spoke) interacts directly with the scam artist (hub) and knowingly participates in the fraudulent financial scheme, even if they are unaware of the other individuals involved.

• Example 3: Illegal Gambling Ring

  A bookmaker (the hub) runs an illegal sports betting operation. The bookmaker employs several "runners" or "collectors" (the spokes) who take bets from individual gamblers and collect payments on behalf of the bookmaker. Each runner operates in a different geographic area and reports directly to the bookmaker, turning over collected funds and reporting new bets. The runners typically do not interact with each other, but they all understand they are working for the same central bookmaker to facilitate illegal gambling.

  This is an example of a circle conspiracy because the bookmaker is the central figure. Each runner (spoke) has a direct relationship with the bookmaker (hub) and contributes to the overall illegal gambling operation, even without knowing or interacting with the other runners.