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Circuit Judge Victoria Marks has reduced the monthly restitution James K.S. Lee of Jimmy's Travel must pay customers to $750 from $1,000 during November through January. Judge lowers
restitution to be paid by
Jimmy’s Travel ownerStar-Bulletin staff
Yesterday's action is to help Lee while he finds a job and apartment in Las Vegas.
Lee, 58, was sentenced to six months in jail and ordered to pay restitution after pleading guilty last year to mishandling $785,694 of customers' money. Each of the 1,124 victims who filed claims for tickets they paid for in advance and never received are to receive a pro rata share of $206,000.
Lee's attorney, Brian Pang had asked the court to reduce the restitution payments to $500 until Lee can find a job. Requiring Lee to make the $1,000 payments while he attempts to find a job and pay rent and utilities for a modest apartment would be setting him up for failure, Pang said.
"I know I have to pay restitution but without a reduction, I may falter on that and it will be a very negative thing for me again," Lee told the court. Since his release, he has been working for Pang doing carpentry and remodeling jobs.
Lee had represented from the beginning that he would be able to make the $1,000 payments so he should be able to come up with the amount, said deputy prosecutor Susan Won.
Claimants began receiving partial restitution checks and a letter of apology from Lee in March.