Opinion ID: 198296
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Restitution Order as to Durfee

Text: 64 Finally, Durfee argues that the district court erred in ordering restitution in the amount of $85,385.35 without properly considering his financial resources. We review restitution orders for abuse of discretion, see United States v. Newman, 49 F.3d 1, 10 (1st Cir.1995), and find none here. 65 We have repeatedly pointed out that the provision addressing restitution, 18 U.S.C. § 3664(a) (1994), 4 does not require an explicit finding that the defendant has the ability to pay the restitution ordered. Rather, it is sufficient if the record on appeal reveals that the judge made implicit findings or otherwise adequately evinced his consideration of those factors. Newman, 49 F.3d at 10. Here, the record reveals just that. First, the court explicitly adopted the factual findings of the presentence investigation report, which included information relating to Durfee's financial condition, earning ability, and ability to pay. 66 Second, the court recognized the possibility that Durfee's financial prospects might improve. As this court has held, there is no requirement that the defendant be found able to pay now. United States v. Lombardi, 5 F.3d 568, 573 (1st Cir.1993); see also United States v. Vaknin, 112 F.3d 579, 592 (1st Cir.1997) (A defendant's impoverishment today is no assurance of future poverty, and, hence, present impecuniousness is not a bar to the imposition of restitution.); Newman, 49 F.3d at 10. Accordingly, [a] sentencing court permissibly may take into account a defendant's earning capacity and the prospect that his fortunes will improve. Vaknin, 112 F.3d at 592. Here, the court refused to speculate on Durfee's inability to pay after his release, thereby acknowledging the possibility that Durfee's fortunes might improve. Thus, we think this record shows that the trial judge adequately considered Durfee's financial situation and did not abuse his discretion in arriving at a restitution amount.