Opinion ID: 2777563
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Restitution under the VWPA

Text: The VWPA provides that “[t]he court, when sentencing a defendant convicted of an offense under this title . . . , may order . . . that the defendant make restitution to any victim of such offense.” 18 U.S.C. § 3663(a)(1)(A). The 14 VWPA requires sentencing courts to consider the amount of the loss sustained by the victim as a result of the offense, the defendant’s financial resources, the financial needs and earning ability of the defendant and the defendant’s dependents, and other factors the court deems appropriate. See id. § 3663(a)(1)(B)(i). “While the district court must review these statutory factors, detailed factual findings for each factor are not required.” United States v. Battista, 575 F.3d 226, 230 (2d Cir. 2009). “Any dispute as to the proper amount or type of restitution shall be resolved by the court by the preponderance of the evidence.” 18 U.S.C. § 3664(e). We review a district court’s restitution order “deferentially, reversing only if in our view the trial court abused its discretion.” United States v. Amato, 540 F.3d 153, 159 (2d Cir. 2008). “To identify such abuse, we must conclude that a challenged ruling rests on an error of law, a clearly erroneous finding of fact, or otherwise cannot be located within the range of permissible decisions.” United States v. Boccagna, 450 F.3d 107, 113 (2d Cir. 2006) (internal quotation marks omitted). 15