Ojai Tree-Cutter Pays Part of Fine
An Ojai Valley landowner convicted last year of illegally chopping down 300 trees drew praise from a judge Monday for making a small dent in his $500,000 fine.
“I’m happy about the progress that appears to be taking place,” Judge Kevin McGee said in Ventura County Superior Court before continuing the probation-violation hearing for William Kaddis until May 10.
Kaddis, a Los Angeles real estate broker who owns a 44-acre ranch in the Ojai Valley, has paid $20,700 toward the penalty, Deputy Dist. Atty. Karen Wold said after the hearing. He was ordered to pay $9,500 a month beginning Oct. 1, Wold said.
Charles Odiase, Kaddis’ attorney, told McGee during the hearing that a real estate transaction that is nearing completion should free up some funds for Kaddis to continue paying restitution.
Kaddis, 59, was found guilty last May of 11 criminal counts, stemming from the clearing of nearly half of his property off Baldwin Road in the fall of 2001.
He was fined and sentenced to 210 days in jail for the destruction of the trees.
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