Cedar Rapids landlord agrees to pay restitution to former tenants

An agreement on restitution for 140 former tenants in a damage deposit fraud scheme was reached Monday between Cedar Rapids landlord Robert Miell and the government.

There were 79 former tenants who Miell contested their claims and were willing to testify in court in restitution hearings this week, but they were canceled when an agreement was reached on all claims, according to court records filed in U.S. District Court Tuesday.

The document didn't include the restitution amounts but it should be included in Miell's sentencing judgment, which hasn't been completed.

Judge Mark Bennett said last week during the hearing he would issued his written decision by the fall.

Miell pleaded guilty to 18 counts of mail fraud and two counts of perjury, and in January 2009 he was convicted by a jury of two counts of tax fraud. The charges stem from his fraudulent reports to American Family Insurance of more than $336,000 in storm damage at 145 properties.

Miell faces up to 24 years.