A 62-year-old Wyoming man convicted of stealing 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 following his conviction, according to San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe. He pleaded no contest October 2013 to charges of grand theft, receiving stolen property and vandalism.
Wagstaffe said that Gardner's 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.
