The former executive director of La Jolla’s Congregation Beth El synagogue has been ordered to pay restitution of $470,500 by the federal judge who sentenced him to prison for 18 months for his role in defrauding the synagogue.
The restitution hearing, set for Oct. 31, was canceled because attorneys for Eric Levine and the U.S. Attorney reached a stipulated agreement of repayment. Levine, 37, will surrender to a federal prison on or by Nov. 14 following his April guilty plea to one count of wire fraud. He remains free on $25,000 bond. He has surrendered his passport and works in a restaurant.
U.S. District Court Judge Dana Sabraw signed the order that specifies that Levine must pay $208,200 to the synagogue and $100,000 to Philadelphia Insurance Companies, which insured the temple.
Levine was also ordered to pay $162,200 to Chase Bank, which was also considered a victim, as Levine used temple funds to pay his personal credit card accounts. Sabraw wrote that Levine must first pay Congregation Beth El first.
Levine must report his income even while in prison, and he will have to pay 50 percent of his income, or $25, per quarter, whichever is greater. After he is paroled, he must make payments of at least $300 per month, according to court documents.
The temple’s insurance company is expected to make another payment soon to Congregation Beth El. The restitution to the temple will be reduced, and the same amount will be transferred to the insurance firm.
The documents say the payment schedules “do not foreclose the United States from exercising all legal actions, remedies, and processes available to collect the restitution judgment.”
Synagogue members filled the courtroom last September and heard details about the embezzlement Levine had conducted during his eight years with the temple. Levine used temple funds to pay for expensive vacations, leather furniture, jewelry, men’s clothing and a personal fitness trainer. — Neal Putnam