Opinion ID: 714125
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Appropriateness of Restitution

Text: 107 District court judges enjoy broad discretion in ordering restitution. United States v. Loscalzo, 18 F.3d 374, 386 (7th Cir.1994). An order of restitution will not be vacated upon review unless the defendant demonstrates that the district court abused this discretion in determining that restitution was appropriate or in setting the amount to be paid. Id. 108 Ross puts forth two arguments that the district court erred in ordering him to make restitution to his victims in the amount of $1,000,100. First, he argues that the district court did not properly calculate the amount of the loss. But as discussed immediately above, this argument is without merit. 109 Secondly, he argues that the ordering of restitution was improper because he was indigent throughout the trial. This court will reverse the district court's order as an abuse of discretion if it is not improbable that the district court failed to consider the mandatory factors set forth in 18 U.S.C. § 3664(a). United States v. Boula, 997 F.2d 263, 267 (7th Cir.1993). The district court must consider: (1) the amount of loss sustained by the victims as a result of the offense; (2) the financial resources of the defendant; (3) the financial needs of the defendant and his or her dependents; (4) the financial earning ability of the defendant and his or her dependents; and (5) any other factors the court deems appropriate. Loscalzo, 18 F.3d at 386; 18 U.S.C. § 3664(a). However, although the sentencing court is required to consider the defendant's indigence, this one factor is not solely determinative of whether restitution is appropriate. United States v. Boyle, 10 F.3d 485, 492 (7th Cir.1993). Here, the record shows that the district court clearly grappled with the defendant's present penury, but considered other factors to be more important. The victims in this case have very low earning potential, and Ross is a well-educated man with entrepreneurial experience who may be able once again to become personally profitable. This court has held that a person actually unable to pay may be directed to make restitution, provided there is some likelihood that he will acquire resources in the future. United States v. Ahmad, 2 F.3d 245, 247 (7th Cir.1993). Thus, we do not find that the district court abused its discretion in ordering Ross to make restitution. 110 The district court's judgments of conviction and sentence for Thomas Ross and John Collori are AFFIRMED.