Opinion ID: 701842
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Value of Assets Surrendered by Elliott and Melhorn to the Receiver

Text: 52 Elliott and Melhorn also contend that the district court erred by not allowing them to present evidence of the value of assets already disgorged to the receiver for Elliott Enterprises. They argue that they have already given to the receiver assets worth more than the losses claimed by the victims. They assert that any outstanding claims by the victims have resulted from poor management and disposition of those assets by the receiver. Section 3664(a) provides: 53 The court, in determining whether to order restitution under section 3663 of this title and the amount of such restitution, shall consider the amount of the loss sustained by any victim as a result of the offense, the financial resources of the defendant, the financial needs and earning ability of the defendant and the defendant's dependents, and such other factors as the court deems appropriate. 54 18 U.S.C. Sec. 3664(a). 55 The value of Elliott and Melhorn's remaining assets is relevant to the district court's determination of their present and future ability to pay restitution, and, accordingly, the district court must consider this factor in deciding whether and in what amount to order restitution. In contrast, the district court is not required to weigh the value of assets that Elliott and Melhorn have already disgorged to the receiver. Assets surrendered by Elliott and Melhorn that have not been returned to the victims to whom they are owed are irrelevant both to the defendant's ability to pay restitution and to the amount of loss sustained by the victims. Therefore, the district court did not err in refusing Elliott and Melhorn an opportunity at resentencing to introduce evidence establishing the value of these surrendered assets.