Opinion ID: 414162
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: excessive restitution

Text: 39 As noted above, imposition of sentence was suspended as to Counts II through XXXVIII and Brown was given five years probation on the condition that he pay a $5,000 fine and make restitution in the sum of $21,949.26 to Bowie County, Texas. From the briefs, we have learned that the calculation of amount probably comes from a presentence report. This report is not in the record and we are unable to determine what this sum represents. We are left to speculate and/or assume that a part or all of the difference between the two sums of money is accounted for by the amounts of money received by the vendors or salesmen pursuant to the false invoice scheme. In addition, the district court's judgment as to Count XXVII is being reversed because the evidence is insufficient to support a finding that Brown received any money. 40 The authority for requiring restitution as a probation condition is set forth in 18 U.S.C. Sec. 3651 which provides that a defendant [m]ay be required to make restitution or reparation to aggrieved parties for actual damages or loss caused by the offense for which conviction was had. Based on this language, the district court was empowered to require Brown to make restitution for the amounts the vendors and salesmen received from Bowie County's treasury as well as the amounts he received but only for each count upon which he was convicted. See United States v. Boswell, 565 F.2d 1338 (5th Cir.1978). 41 On the basis of the record before us, however, we are unable to conclude that Bowie County, Texas suffered actual losses or damages in the amount of $21,949.26 from the offenses for which Brown stands convicted. Therefore, we remand this case to the district court for it to reconsider the amount of restitution imposed as a special condition of probation on Counts II through XXXVIII. Some factual basis must be set forth to support a specific amount that Bowie County suffered in losses or damages resulting from the offenses for which Brown was convicted. 42 For the foregoing reasons, the decision of the district court is 43 AFFIRMED IN PART, VACATED IN PART, AND REMANDED.