James Agbeze v. State ( 2014 )


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  • Opinion issued July 25, 2014.
    In The
    Court of Appeals
    For The
    First District of Texas
    ————————————
    NO. 01-13-00140-CR
    ———————————
    JAMES AGBEZE, Appellant
    V.
    THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee
    On Appeal from the 180th District Court
    Harris County, Texas
    Trial Court Case No. 1288928
    MEMORANDUM OPINION
    James Agbeze, a licensed government contractor, was indicted for
    submitting a series of fraudulent Medicaid reimbursement claims. The jury
    convicted Agbeze of theft of property by a government contractor with an
    aggregated value of $1,500 or more, but less than $20,000,1 assessed punishment at
    seven years’ community supervision, and imposed a $10,000 fine. The trial court
    ordered Agbeze to spend 90 days in jail as a condition of community supervision
    and to pay $18,169.45 in restitution. On appeal, Agbeze contends that (1) there was
    insufficient evidence to prove that he intentionally or knowingly committed theft
    or that individual over-charges were part of a larger criminal scheme to allow the
    theft amounts to be aggregated and tried as one offense and that (2) the trial court
    abused its discretion in ordering him to pay $18,169.45 in restitution. We affirm.
    Background
    In 2005, Agbeze began doing business as Browne Medical Supply and
    became a licensed Medicaid contractor providing durable medical equipment to
    Medicaid beneficiaries. Agbeze would purchase and deliver certain medical
    supplies, including incontinence products, and then submit a reimbursement claim
    to the Health and Human Services Commission. HHSC would then reimburse him
    for the products that he had provided to his clients.
    In 2007, a state Medicaid investigator conducting an oversight review of
    Agbeze’s records discovered that Agbeze was routinely filing reimbursement
    1
    See TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. § 31.03(a), (e)(4)(A), (f)(4) (West 2012) (listing
    penalties for theft when actor is Medicare provider with contractual relationship
    with federal government); see 
    id. § 31.09
    (West 2012) (aggregating amounts
    involved in theft when amounts are obtained in one scheme or continuing course
    of conduct and using aggregate amount to determine grade of theft).
    2
    claims for the monthly maximum number of incontinence products allowed under
    Medicaid restrictions. According to HHSC’s preliminary review of Agbeze’s
    claims, Agbeze was “consistently billing” his clients for 300 extra-large adult
    diapers and other supplies including hygienic wipes and underpads.
    Based on these preliminary findings, Agbeze became subject to a formal
    Medicaid investigation, which revealed that Agbeze had submitted multiple
    reimbursement claims for incontinence supplies without actually delivering the
    products to clients. Based on this information, Jesse Mack, a member of the state
    Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, initiated a criminal investigation into Agbeze’s
    claims-filing practices. Relying on evidence that included unsigned and forged
    delivery slips, outdated client authorization forms, and incomplete files
    documenting client orders and authorizations, the investigators concluded that
    Agbeze had submitted multiple fraudulent reimbursement claims over the course
    of five years. The Fraud Control Unit determined that Agbeze was reimbursed an
    estimated $77,000 for fraudulent claims for incontinence supplies between 2005
    and 2007 and an additional $55,000 between 2008 and 2010.
    Agbeze was indicted for first-degree felony theft of property by a
    government contractor. At trial, the jury heard testimony from several HHSC
    investigators, including Consuelo Chavez, who testified that HHSC investigators
    had discovered Agbeze’s fraudulent claims-filing patterns and that, despite
    3
    HHSC’s request, Agbeze failed to produce complete files related to the disputed
    reimbursement claims.
    HHSC Senior Policy Advisor, Sharon Thompson, also testified regarding
    Agbeze’s claims records and discussed the application process and rules governing
    Medicaid contractors. Thompson testified that Agbeze’s billing records were
    unusual because the maximum product limits were established based on a “worst
    case scenario” and only a small percentage of beneficiaries actually required the
    maximum number. Thompson also explained that a provider “trying to maximize
    their billing, whether they provided the service or not . . . [would] consistently
    [bill] for extra large adult [products].”
    In his original application for licensure as a Medicaid contractor, Agbeze
    affirmed that he understood the Medicaid provider duties and responsibilities,
    including the duty to refund any overpayments, duplicate payments, or erroneous
    payments as soon as an error was discovered and to verify and track claims that he
    submitted. The State Medicaid provider manual, which accompanied Agbeze’s
    application, limited the number of certain products for which he could submit
    reimbursement claims without prior Medicaid authorization. The manual also
    directed Agbeze to retain all documentation of submitted claims and patient
    information for five to ten years to facilitate investigation of potential fraud and
    ensure accurate provider reimbursement. The jury heard testimony from Agbeze’s
    4
    clients who did not receive the total number of incontinence supplies for which
    Agbeze had sought reimbursement. The State also offered evidence of incomplete,
    unsigned and forged delivery receipts, deficient physician authorization forms, and
    noncompliance with the state Medicaid contractor manual.
    Based on this evidence, the jury convicted Agbeze of the third-degree felony
    offense of aggregated theft and assessed punishment at seven years’ community
    supervision and imposed a $10,000 fine. Additionally, the trial court ordered
    Agbeze to pay restitution of $18,169.45 to reflect the amount of fraudulently
    submitted claims.
    Agbeze timely appealed.
    Sufficiency of the Evidence
    In his first issue, Agbeze contends that the evidence was insufficient to
    prove that he had intentionally or knowingly committed aggregated theft.
    Specifically, Agbeze contends that the State failed to prove that (1) he intentionally
    appropriated property without the effective consent of the owner or that (2) his
    actions were part of one scheme or a continuous course of conduct such that the
    amounts of theft could be aggregated.
    A.    Standard of review
    We review challenges to the sufficiency of the evidence under the standard
    enunciated in Jackson v. Virginia, 
    443 U.S. 307
    , 318–20, 
    99 S. Ct. 2781
    , 2788–89
    5
    (1979). See Ervin v. State, 
    331 S.W.3d 49
    , 52–56 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.]
    2010, pet. ref’d) (citing Brooks v. State, 
    323 S.W.3d 893
    , 894–913 (Tex. Crim.
    App. 2010)). Under the Jackson standard, evidence is insufficient to support a
    conviction if, considering all the record evidence in the light most favorable to the
    verdict, no rational factfinder could have found that each essential element of the
    charged offense was proven beyond a reasonable doubt. See 
    Jackson, 443 U.S. at 317
    –19, 99 S. Ct. at 2788–89; Laster v. State, 
    275 S.W.3d 512
    , 517 (Tex. Crim.
    App. 2009). We consider both direct and circumstantial evidence and all
    reasonable inferences that may be drawn from the evidence in making our
    determination. Clayton v. State, 
    235 S.W.3d 772
    , 778 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007).
    Evidence is insufficient under four circumstances: (1) the record contains no
    evidence probative of an element of the offense; (2) the record contains a mere
    “modicum” of evidence probative of an element of the offense; (3) the evidence
    conclusively establishes a reasonable doubt; or (4) the acts alleged do not
    constitute the criminal offense charged. See 
    Jackson, 443 U.S. at 314
    , 318 & n.11,
    
    320, 99 S. Ct. at 2786
    , 2789 & n.11; 
    Laster, 275 S.W.3d at 518
    ; Williams v. State,
    
    235 S.W.3d 742
    , 750 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007).
    The Jackson standard defers to the factfinder to resolve any conflicts in the
    testimony, to weigh the evidence, and to draw reasonable inferences from “basic
    facts to ultimate facts.” 
    Jackson, 443 U.S. at 318
    –19, 99 S. Ct. at 2788–89;
    6
    
    Clayton, 235 S.W.3d at 778
    . Circumstantial evidence alone can be sufficient to
    establish guilt. Hooper v. State, 
    214 S.W.3d 9
    , 14–15 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007);
    Cantu v. State, 
    395 S.W.3d 202
    , 207 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2012, pet.
    ref’d). And the State need not disprove all reasonable alternative hypotheses that
    are inconsistent with the defendant’s guilt. Wise v. State, 
    364 S.W.3d 900
    , 903
    (Tex. Crim. App. 2012); 
    Cantu, 395 S.W.3d at 207
    . An appellate court presumes
    the factfinder resolved any conflicts in the evidence in favor of the verdict and
    defers to that resolution, provided that the resolution is rational. See 
    Jackson, 443 U.S. at 326
    , 99 S. Ct. at 2793. If an appellate court finds the evidence insufficient
    under this standard, it must reverse the judgment and enter an order of acquittal.
    See Tibbs v. Florida, 
    457 U.S. 31
    , 41, 
    102 S. Ct. 2211
    , 2218 (1982).
    B.    Evidence supporting the conclusion that Agbeze intentionally or
    knowingly committed theft
    Agbeze first contends that the evidence was insufficient to prove that he
    “intentionally and knowingly” committed theft while acting as a government
    contractor.
    A person commits theft if he unlawfully appropriates property with the
    intent to deprive the owner of that property without the owner’s consent. TEX.
    PENAL CODE ANN. § 31.03(a), (b)(1) (West 2012). When, as is the case here, the
    definition of an offense does not prescribe a culpable mental state, a specific
    mental state must be alleged. 
    Id. § 6.02
    (West 2012); Harris v. State, 
    364 S.W.3d 7
    328, 335 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2012, no pet.) (citing TEX. PENAL CODE
    ANN. § 6.02(b)). The indictment alleged that Agbeze had intentionally or
    knowingly committed first-degree theft of an aggregated amount of more than
    $100,000 and less than $200,000. See TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. § 31.03(a),
    (e)(6)(A), (f)(4) (West 2012) (listing penalties for theft when actor is Medicare
    provider with contractual relationship with federal government; noting that theft of
    more than $100,000 and less than $200,000 is first-degree felony if defendant is
    federal Medicare contractor); see TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. § 31.09 (West 2012)
    (aggregating amounts involved in theft when amounts are obtained in one scheme
    or continuing course of conduct and using aggregated amount to determine grade
    of theft). Accordingly, the State had the burden of proving that Agbeze acted with
    either such state of mind.
    A person acts intentionally if he acts with the conscious objective or desire
    to engage in the conduct or cause the result. 
    Id. § 6.03(a)
    (West 2012). A person
    acts knowingly when he is aware of the nature of his conduct and acts knowing his
    conduct is reasonably certain to cause the result. 
    Id. § 6.03(b)
    (West 2012). Intent
    can be inferred based on a defendant’s words, acts, and conduct and “is a matter of
    fact, to be determined from all of the circumstances.” Smith v. State, 
    965 S.W.2d 509
    , 518 (Tex. Crim. App. 1998).
    8
    There was sufficient evidence from which a reasonable factfinder could
    conclude that Agbeze acted intentionally or knowingly. First, there was evidence
    that Agbeze was aware of his responsibilities and obligations as a Medicaid
    contractor and that he knew of the consequences of failing to adhere to those
    responsibilities. The jury heard testimony from Thompson regarding the
    requirements and documentation required for an individual, like Agbeze, to
    participate as a Medicaid contractor. By signing the Medicaid provider application,
    Agbeze affirmed that he understood the Medicaid program procedures and
    policies, that he was bound by the rules and terms of his provider status, and that
    he would be subject to administrative and criminal punishment for submitting false
    or invalid claims. Furthermore, Agbeze acknowledged that he was prohibited from
    submitting reimbursement claims for services that he did not provide or for
    products that he did not deliver to beneficiaries. 2 Agbeze also agreed that he was
    obligated to refund any overpayments, duplicate payments, or erroneous payments
    as soon as an error was discovered and that he had a duty to verify and track claims
    that he submitted. Thompson also explained that the manual directed Agbeze to
    retain all documentation of submitted claims and patient information for five to ten
    2
    By signing the agreement, Agbeze specifically acknowledged that “[a]ll claims or
    encounters submitted by Provider must be for services actually rendered by
    provider.”
    9
    years to facilitate investigation of potential fraud and ensure accurate provider
    reimbursement, which Agbeze failed to do.
    Under Medicaid practices, Agbeze could submit claims for certain products
    without first obtaining Medicaid authorization. According to Thompson, Agbeze
    could submit monthly claims for up to 300 adult diapers, up to 2 boxes of hygienic
    wipes, and up to 150 underpads. She testified that Agbeze ordered the maximum of
    each product for multiple clients.
    The jury also heard evidence that Agbeze had submitted reimbursement
    claims for more supplies than his clients had requested. Chavez, an HHSC
    investigator, testified that her investigation of Agbeze’s claims uncovered a
    noticeable pattern: Agbeze would repeatedly order the maximum number of
    products allowed without prior authorization, and he would do so for multiple
    clients. According to Thompson, Agbeze’s regular orders for 300 diapers were
    unusual because the number reflects a “worst case scenario” and “the great
    majority of people would never need [that many] . . . .” Thompson and Chavez also
    testified that the size of the diapers—extra-large—was also unusual because most
    clients did not require diapers that size. Thompson testified that Medicaid pays
    more for the extra-large diapers than for the smaller sizes and that “if a provider is
    trying to maximize their billing, whether they provided the service or not, they will
    bill—you will see consistently billing for extra[-]large [products].” Agbeze
    10
    admitted at trial that he only provided extra-large diapers, never small or medium-
    sized products, but maintained that, to “the best of [his] knowledge,” all of his
    clients required the larger size.
    In addition to the unusual product orders, the jury could have relied on
    evidence that Agbeze failed to produce the prescription orders and billing records
    to substantiate all of the maximum orders. Agbeze admitted that he only provided
    119 of the more than 130 files that the State had requested while investigating his
    billing history. Based on their interview with over 50 of Agbeze’s clients, the
    investigators were unable to account for delivery of all of the products for which
    Agbeze had submitted reimbursement claims. Based on Agbeze’s files and client
    reports of undelivered products, the investigators concluded that Agbeze had filed
    claims for products that he never delivered to his clients. One client testified that
    Agbeze claimed reimbursement for incontinence supplies even though she has
    never used or requested such products. Another witness testified that Agbeze had
    claimed reimbursement for his mother’s incontinence supplies although she had no
    need for them. And one witness testified that Agbeze had forged a client signature
    on a delivery receipt. While Agbeze admitted that he had “mistake[nly]” billed
    four clients for incontinence supplies, he maintained that he could not “recall
    exactly” the billing procedures he used for the remainder of his clients.
    11
    Despite the great weight of the evidence, Agbeze contends that the client
    testimony was unreliable because they were “forced . . . to remember events that
    happened three to seven years prior” and they “contradicted their own testimony
    throughout the trial.” Agbeze also argues that the State’s investigators did not
    corroborate witness testimony and that all of the State’s evidence was “highly
    contested” throughout the trial. Specifically, he cites evidence that he had
    submitted proper doctor authorizations for his clients. Agbeze further argues that
    the State failed to disprove “every other reasonable hypothesis.”
    The State has no obligation to disprove every other plausible theory that
    could explain Agbeze’s actions. 
    Wise, 364 S.W.3d at 903
    ; 
    Cantu, 395 S.W.3d at 207
    . Regarding “contested” issues, we presume that the jury reconciled any
    conflicts in testimony, determined the weight that should be given to the evidence,
    and made reasonable inferences drawn from the facts. 
    Williams, 235 S.W.3d at 750
    . Accordingly, we conclude that, when viewed in the light most favorable to the
    verdict, the evidence was sufficient to support the jury’s conclusion that Agbeze
    had intentionally or knowingly committed theft.
    C.    Sufficiency of evidence to aggregate the thefts
    Agbeze also contends that even if the State proved that he had committed
    individual instances of theft, there was insufficient evidence that his actions were
    “part of one scheme or continuous course of conduct such that the amounts of
    12
    individual thefts could be aggregated.” See TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. § 31.09.
    Agbeze     argues    that    he    undertook     two    “different”    courses    of
    conduct: (1) submitting billing for Medicaid recipients who were not yet his clients
    and to whom he made no deliveries and (2) submitting billing for existing clients
    to whom he made partial deliveries. He further contends that the State admitted
    that he had committed two different schemes of theft.
    A person commits aggregated theft when he commits multiple thefts over a
    period of time, pursuant to “one scheme or continuing course of conduct, whether
    from the same or several sources . . . .” 
    Id. The Legislature
    did not attach a
    technical or particular meaning to “scheme” or “continuing course of conduct”;
    accordingly we give the words their common meaning. See TEX. PENAL CODE
    ANN. § 31.01 (West 2012); 
    id. § 31.09
    ; Johnson v. State, 
    187 S.W.3d 591
    , 603
    (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2006, pet. ref’d); see also Sendejo v. State, 
    676 S.W.2d 454
    , 455–56 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 1984, no writ) (rejecting argument
    that State must prove both “scheme” and “continuing course of conduct” and
    holding words are “terms of common understanding”). Furthermore, the State is
    not required to prove that the individual thefts were identical or that the actor had
    “systematic criminal intent” to aggregate offenses. Riley v. State, 
    312 S.W.3d 673
    ,
    677–78 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2009, pet. ref’d) (citing TEX. PENAL CODE
    ANN. § 31.09).
    13
    Agbeze cites Noor v. State, No. 01–02–01148–CR, 
    2004 WL 744575
    (Tex.
    App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Apr. 8, 2004, no pet.) (mem. op., not designated for
    publication) to support his contention that the thefts should not be aggregated
    because they constituted two different schemes of conduct. Specifically, Agbeze
    argues that there was insufficient evidence proving “commonalities in the manner
    and means of the crimes” to affirm the jury’s conclusion that his actions
    constituted a continuous course of conduct.
    In Noor, there was sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the defendant
    acted in a continuous course of conduct because each complainant testified that the
    defendant had contacted them through a third party, the defendant personally
    offered to sell them discounted merchandise, and the defendant only accepted cash
    payment. 
    Id. at *3.
    Unlike Noor, Agbeze argues that the State failed to present
    similar factual similarities between his two schemes of conduct.
    While common means and manner may support the aggregation of multiple
    thefts, the State does not have the burden of demonstrating that each theft was
    factually identical in order to justify aggregation. In Green v. State, 
    880 S.W.2d 797
    , 799–800 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1994, no writ), there was sufficient
    evidence of aggregated theft when the defendant had stolen money in “several
    ways” including, failing to ring up sales made in the store, failing to deposit cash
    14
    and checks, making false “overrings” at the cash register, and understating daily
    sales receipts. 
    Id. Similarly, in
    Riley v. State, this court held that there was sufficient evidence
    to support an aggregated theft conviction based on evidence that the defendant had
    stolen money in four different construction transactions. 
    Riley, 312 S.W.3d at 673
    ,
    676. The defendant argued that there was no proof of a systematic criminal intent;
    rather, he failed to timely complete the construction projects for unrelated reasons.
    
    Id. at 677.
    The appellate court concluded that the evidence was sufficient to
    support the jury’s conclusion that the offenses were part of the same scheme for
    aggregation purposes based, in part, on evidence that the defendant was paid for
    projects that were never completed. 
    Id. at 674,
    677. “[P]rior intent to commit
    multiple offenses” was not required—the evidence was sufficient to aggregate the
    offenses based on the common usage of the terms “scheme” and “continuing
    course of conduct.” 
    Id. at 677
    (citing TEX. GOV’T CODE ANN. § 311.011(a) (West
    2013)).
    Likewise, the State did not have a burden of proving that Agbeze had a
    systematic prior intent or scheme to commit theft in every incident evidenced at
    trial. Rather, based on the common meaning of the terms “scheme” and
    “continuing course of conduct,” the State only had to present evidence that
    Agbeze’s actions were sufficiently linked to support the jury’s conclusion to
    15
    aggregate the offenses. See, e.g., Keck v. State, No. 14–07–00933–CR, 
    2009 WL 3003257
    (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] Apr. 2, 2009, no pet.) (mem. op., not
    designate for publication) (upholding aggregation of thefts when evidence showed
    that defendant had sole access to bank deposit slips necessary to commit 148
    instances of theft from his employer).
    Here, there was sufficient evidence to support aggregation. First, Agbeze
    followed a similar method over the course of several years of submitting claims for
    the maximum allowed number of products, while not maintaining proper
    documentation to demonstrate client need of those products. Second, Agbeze billed
    for products that had the highest reimbursement value, regardless of whether the
    client needed or had ordered such products. Third, Agbeze failed to deliver all of
    the billed products to some of his clients. 3 Accordingly, we conclude that there was
    sufficient evidence from which a reasonable jury could infer one scheme or
    continuing course of conduct to permit aggregation of theft amounts.
    Having concluded that there was sufficient evidence that Agbeze acted
    intentionally or knowingly and that his acts were part of one scheme or continuing
    course of conduct, a jury could reasonably conclude that Agbeze was guilty of
    aggregated theft.
    3
    While there was evidence that Agbeze had delivered some amount of products to
    some of the clients, Agbeze did not present any evidence to rebut the State’s
    contention that he failed to deliver all of the claimed products to all of his clients.
    16
    We overrule Agbeze’s first issue.
    Restitution
    In his second issue, Agbeze contends that the restitution order directing him
    to pay $18,169.45 was “arbitrary and patently unreasonable” based on the evidence
    presented at trial. We construe Agbeze’s complaint as a challenge to the
    sufficiency of the evidence supporting the amount of restitution imposed. The State
    argues that Agbeze failed to object to the amount of the restitution at trial and,
    therefore, did not preserve the error on appeal.
    A.     Waiver
    As a preliminary matter, we first consider the State’s contention that Agbeze
    failed to preserve this issue on appeal. To preserve a complaint for appellate
    review, a party must object in a timely, specific manner and obtain an adverse
    ruling. TEX. R. APP. P. 33.1(a); Garza v. State, 
    126 S.W.3d 79
    , 82 (Tex. Crim. App.
    2004). However, a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence supporting a court’s
    restitution order may be raised for the first time on appeal. Mayer v. State, 
    309 S.W.3d 552
    , 556 (Tex. Crim. App. 2010). Accordingly, Agbeze did not waive the
    error by failing to challenge the sufficiency of the evidence to support the amount
    of restitution at trial.
    We now turn to consider whether there was sufficient evidence to support
    the trial court’s order directing him to pay $18,169.45 in restitution.
    17
    B.    Standard of review and relevant law
    “Restitution is not only a form of punishment, it is also a crime victim’s
    statutory right.” Hanna v. State, 
    426 S.W.3d 87
    , 91 (Tex. Crim. App. 2014) (citing
    TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 42.037 (West Supp. 2013)). Article 42.037 of the
    Texas Code of Criminal Procedure authorizes trial courts to order a defendant to
    pay restitution to compensate a victim, upon considering the value of any property
    lost or destroyed and other factors that the court “deems appropriate.” TEX. CODE
    CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 42.037(a), (b)(1)(B)(i), (c)(2).
    We review a trial court’s order to pay restitution for an abuse of discretion.
    Cartwright v. State, 
    605 S.W.2d 287
    , 289 (Tex. Crim. App. 1980); Uresti v. State,
    
    98 S.W.3d 321
    , 337 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2003, no pet.). A trial court
    abuses its discretion if the restitution is (1) not supported by the record, (2) ordered
    for an offense for which the defendant is not criminally responsible, or (3) not for
    victims of the offense for which the defendant is charged. See Cabla v. State, 
    6 S.W.3d 543
    , 546 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999); Tyler v. State, 
    137 S.W.3d 261
    , 266
    (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2004, no pet.); see, e.g., 
    Uresti, 98 S.W.3d at 337
    –38 (concluding that restitution based on police department expenses used to
    complete criminal investigation was improper when the police department was not
    victim of charged offense).
    18
    C.    Sufficiency of evidence to support the amount of restitution
    Agbeze contends that the total amount of restitution ordered was “a mere
    ‘stab in the dark’” because the losses resulting from Agbeze’s partial deliveries
    were based on unreliable witness testimony that “made it impossible to determine
    which one of the deliveries were made and which ones were not.”
    At the sentencing hearing, the State relied entirely upon the evidence
    presented at trial. We have already concluded that there was sufficient evidence for
    a reasonable jury to conclude that Agbeze not only filed fraudulent claims, but that
    he also failed to deliver the total amount of products ordered to his clients. Relying
    on that same evidence, we likewise conclude that there was sufficient evidence to
    support the trial court’s restitution order.
    The jury found Agbeze guilty of theft by a government contractor in an
    amount greater than $1,500 but less than $20,000, and the restitution imposed falls
    within the range for which Agbeze was convicted. The record supports the court
    order imposing restitution in the amount of $18,169.45. The State offered client
    testimony that Agbeze failed to deliver $8,248.32 worth of products. The State also
    presented evidence that Agbeze provided only partial deliveries to some clients,
    resulting in their cumulative loss of over $54,000. While the trial court did not
    specify which evidence it relied upon to narrow the restitution amount to
    $18,169.45, there was sufficient evidence to impose restitution in that amount. Cf.
    19
    Green v. State, 
    880 S.W.2d 797
    , 802 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1994, no
    writ) (concluding that complainant testimony regarding total amount of losses
    supported trial court’s restitution order and noting that defendant had opportunity
    to controvert testimony regarding the amounts); Mosqueda v. State, No. C14–87–
    00603–CV, 
    1988 WL 109819
    (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] Oct. 20, 1988, no
    writ) (mem. op., not designated for publication) (noting that “[t]he amount set for
    restitution need not be the exact amount of money that was stolen. The amount
    must simply have a factual basis.”).
    We conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in imposing the
    $18,169.45 restitution order. We overrule Agbeze’s second issue.
    Conclusion
    Having overruled both of Agbeze’s issues, we affirm.
    Harvey Brown
    Justice
    Panel consists of Chief Justice Radack and Justices Higley and Brown.
    Do not publish. TEX. R. APP. P. 47.2(b).
    20