Opinion ID: 172808
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Lump-sum payments

Text: While we do not doubt that Griffith may be ordered to pay restitution for her dissipation and misappropriation of lump-sum benefit payments to Norvell, her offense of conviction is theft of U.S. funds during the period from March of 2003 to July of 2005. At Griffith's sentencing hearing, VA Agent Sewell first testified that during the period covered by the indictment, $7,543 in lump-sum benefit payments were deposited into Norvell's account. [14] On cross-examination, however, he corrected that figure, testifying, as I'm looking at it now, one of those payments was made-one of the lump sum payments was made before [Griffith] was fiduciary. (R. vol. III at 70.) According to Agent Sewell, that payment, of $4,250, was made in August of 2002. Because the Government did not put on evidence demonstrating that Griffith dissipated and misappropriated this payment of $4,250 during the period of the offense of conviction, the district court erred in ordering Griffith to pay restitution for the loss of 60% of that payment. Therefore, the restitution order must be reduced by $2,550, or 60% of $4,250.