Judge J. Paul Oetken
On June 18, 2012, Ebrahim pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit wire and securities fraud. He sold confidential information, stolen from employer AT&T Inc. with knowledge of its use to trade securities. On Oct. 15, AT&T sought $315,096 in restitution under the Mandatory Victims Restitution Act (MVRA), comprising a portion of Ebrahim’s compensation, legal fees and costs incurred during government’s investigation of Ebrahim’s conduct. Although 18 USC §366A(d)(1)(5)’s 90-day period had lapsed, the court found AT&T entitled to $275,023. Ebrahim did not explain how he would be prejudiced by an award of restitution. Because AT&T was directly and proximately harmed by Ebrahim’s criminal conduct, AT&T was his victim under the MVRA. In addition to finding AT&T entitled to $68,505 or 20 percent of Ebrahim’s salary, the court found AT&T entitled to $206,518 in attorney fees and expenses, reduced from $229,464. AT&T’s attorney fees accrued before Ebrahim pleaded guilty. Following United States v. Gupta, the court deducted 10 percent of the fees requested by AT&T. Billing records suggested legal billing had been excessive, and there appeared to be an unnecessary amount of lawyers involved in certain tasks.