City News Service
LONG BEACH, Calif. — An Indiana man who touched off a May 2007 blaze on Santa Catalina Island while working as a subcontractor was sentenced today to five years probation and 90 days of jail or Caltrans service.
Long Beach Superior Court Judge Judith Meyer gave Gary Dennis Hunt, 51, the option to perform 720 hours of community service in lieu of jail or Caltrans work, according to Deputy District Attorney Sean Carney.
Hunt also was ordered to pay more than $4 million restitution to three separate entities, and to return to court Nov. 19 for a hearing to determine how much restitution he will have to pay Southern California Edison.
“What’s ongoing is how much restitution it’s going to be,” defense attorney Michael Zimbert said, noting that a civil lawsuit is also pending.
Zimbert said the $4 million-plus in restitution that has already been ordered is expected to be covered through insurance because Hunt was working at the time, adding that his client “doesn’t have that kind of money.”
Hunt — who pleaded no contest Feb. 4 to recklessly causing a fire — has already served 20 days toward the jail or Caltrans time, according to his lawyer.
Prosecutors said Hunt sparked the May 10, 2007, fire by using an open- flamed torch to cut cables on the island’s radio tower as part of his work as a subcontractor.
The flames quickly spread out of control, ultimately destroying one home and several other structures as it burned through more than 4,000 acres of brush.
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