ORLANDO, Fl. — If you're a crime victim there's a good chance you will be victimized by the same guy again. An Action 9 investigation found how common it is for criminals to stop paying court ordered restitution.
" I was horrified, I mean I was in tears," said Geraldine. The burglar snatched gold jewelry and diamonds out of Geraldine Graves home. Angel Rivera was convicted and a judge ordered him to pay Geraldine 15 thousand dollars. He only paid 15 hundred then quit.
" He's robbing me. All over again."
In court records, Action 9 found several hundred victims in Central Florida who were awarded restitution then felt betrayed by the criminals and the courts.
When probation ended so did restitution payments to this Central Florida woman. " So he just basically got away with it." An assault left her hand shattered and the medical bills totaled 17 thousand. Gerald Richardson pleaded no contest, a judge ordered restitution to cover her bills. He paid just a thousand of the 17 thousand then stopped 10 years ago. " I've sent several letters to the judges to open my case back up, and they just ignore it."
That's not how the system is supposed to work, a victim's case should end up back at the courthouse in front of a hearing officer in collections court. But the reality is many violators don't have jobs or can't afford the payments. Frequently restitution payments are lowered or postponed by the courts time and time again.
Geraldines' been waiting more than 2 years for her money. " I feel like I've been had."
In Orange County just 11 percent of restitution victims in circuit court are paid what they are owed.
The Clerk Of Courts office oversees restitution orders and can also send cases to collection agencies and violators could lose their drivers license. The Clerk Of Courts and collections court denied our interview requests.