Little Rock - Airdate: May 14th, 2008

Restitution is defined in part as "equal compensation for loss, damage or injury."

It is a common element in many criminal sentences.an effort to make victims whole.

But the hopes of repayment often turn to frustration as convicts either can't, don't, or won't make their restitution payments.

Seven-On-Your-Side's Jason Pederson takes a look at some of the criminals who are and are not making good on their promise to payback.

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(Jim Guy Tucker/1999) "That's a lot of money. That's a lot of money."

Some of the highest profile restitution cases involve convicted politicians.

Former governor Jim Guy Tucker had a one million dollar restitution order reduced on appeal to about $62 thousand ($62,714.94). He has paid it.

State representatives Lloyd George and Ben McGee, both convicted in the late 90's, have both paid all their restitution.

State senator Nick Wilson is having a little more trouble. Since his conviction eight years ago Wilson has paid more than $700 thousand dollars ($708,847.52)...but still has more than half-a-millon to go ($509,510.30).

(Diane Hunt/2001) "The hospital wasn't paying enough money."

Seven years ago a cleaning lady and a clerk got into the files at a Pine Bluff hospital and used the personal information of employees to open up credit card accounts. Diane Hunt has paid over eight thousand ($8,243.25) so far but still owes nearly $18,000 ($17,991.29). Janice Harris has paid her restitution in full ($5,780.82).

Another person to fully comply...Tim Rodgers of Conway paid off his $31 thousand dollars ($31,419.82) of restitution early.

Then there are the cases of two rogue car dealers...Rick Funderburg (Rick's Auto Outlet, Monticello) and James Turner Jr (Turner Motors, Russellville).

Both sold vehicles without titles and failed to pay off customer trade-ins. Both went to prison for it.

Turner must pay $455 thousand dollars ($455,085.41) in restitution. He pays about $250 a month. At that rate, the 65 year-old Turner will be 216 years old before his debt is paid.

Funderburg hasn't even started paying on his debt yet. Paroled earlier this year, restitution will hopefully pay anyone who isn't paid when the claims process for Funderburg's involuntary bankruptcy is finalized. More than $430,000 has been collected through that bankruptcy.

(Joseph Carthron/Malvern) "What do you want from me?"

(Jason) "You agreed."

(Carthron) "You want my autograph?"

(Jason) "No."

(Carthron) "Alright then."

(Jason) "You agreed to pay these people back. You owe them money. You took their money, you agreed to repay restitution. How long should they wait?"
Joseph Carthron has 19 victims who are owed close to $56,000 ($55,650.00). Carthron has five years to pay up.which averages about $927 dollars a month. But so far this year he has been paying a paltry $25 a month.

Then there are those with no intention to pay at all.like Patrick Miller. Over a year ago the former window salesman agreed to pay his victims $300 a month for seven years ($25,000.00) in order to avoid prison. Miller has left the state and has yet to make a payment.

(Bill Simpson/Chief Public Defender) "He has to make a bona fide effort to pay. If he doesn't he can be revoked. He could be sent back to the penitentiary."

(Jason) "But you don't see that happen."

(Simpson) "No, not often."

Bill Simpson has worked in the public defender's office that serves Pulaski and Perry counties for 33 years.

Simpson says it is difficult to revoke someone's probation solely because he isn't paying restitution.

(Simpson) "A lot of times they may be required to pay so much a month but they can only pay half of it. Or some of it. And that generally is going to be enough. Even if the period of making restitution is extended. And that happens quite often."

We submitted record requests with several courts across the state and acquired the restitution payment histories of many more convicted felons.

If you would like to review that information, click here. If you know of a case where restitution is not being paid as ordered by the courts or not being paid at all, please email us at sos@katv.com.

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