Drunk Sausalito Yacht Thief Failed To Pay $1.38 Million Restitution Fee
REDWOOD CITY (CBS SF) -- A 62-year-old Wyoming man who stole a $2 million yacht from Sausalito, got drunk and ran it aground on a Pacifica beach in 2013 was back in court Friday for probation violations, prosecutors said.
Leslie Alan Gardner admitted to three counts of violating the terms of his probation, according to San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe.
"He and his two buddies stole the boat, started partying wildly, somehow steered it through the Golden Gate out to the coast while drinking to excess," Wagstaffe said. "Then, what brought it to everyone's attention, was that they fell asleep and the boat was going around in circles until they got caught in a current and washed up on a Pacifica beach."
Wagstaffe said that Gardner's latest court appearance last week was not related to any newly committed crimes. Gardner simply failed to pay the $1.38 million restitution ordered by the court and disappeared, which are both violations of the terms of his probation according to Wagstaffe.
Scott Newbould, Gardner's defense attorney, said his client admitted a violation, was given credit for time served, and was out of custody as of Friday.
Gardner's probation was terminated, but he will likely be subject to post-release supervision, according to Newbould.
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