He stole $847,725 and got sentenced to 17.5 years. That's about $48,441 a year in earnings after taxes for maybe 20 hours of work casing the places. That's probably the equivalent of about $60,000 pre-tax. Now consider that he doesn't have any costs for food, housing, or clothing for 17 years, which is perhaps $25,000 per year post tax.
So that means that his net worth change for the 17.5 years is roughly $85,000 per year. That's a pretty decent living compared to the amount of work he put in.
Granted, he's being ordered to pay back $532,675. It's doubtful that he ever pays back a penny, but if he pays it all back that would lower his net by $30,438 per year. Add back in taxes and maybe his gross goes down by $40,000.
That puts him at about $45,000 gross for the 17.5 years, for almost no work. Why work a minimum wage job when you can do this instead?
And question here: why isn't he being ordered to pay back the full amount?
https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmo/pr...ney-laundering