The Chicago man convicted of stalking ESPN reporter Erin Andrews and filming her nude through a hotel room door peephole said Thursday he is “virtually penniless” and cannot pay the more than $300,000 in restitution that was part of his sentence, TMZ reported.
Michael David Barrett, a 48-year-old insurance executive, pleaded guilty to an “interstate stalking” charge after he spied on Andrews at three different hotels as she showered and dressed for work.
He was sentenced in March to serve 27 months at a Los Angeles prison, according to a sentencing document.
As part of his sentence, Barrett was ordered to pay the out-of-pocket costs, Andrews, 31, had to accrue because of the violation.
Barrett’s lawyer filed legal papers Thursday contesting the $327,442.27 that ESPN claimed it had to spend in relation to the matter.
His lawyer says ESPN is just a third party that has nothing to do with the prosecution and is just trying to cash in.