It wasn't a bad idea. The state of Vermont would add 15 per cent to criminal and traffic fines, and the money - along with monies recovered from criminals - would go into a fund for victims who'd suffered an uninsured financial loss. What hadn't been considered was that big businesses like Wal-Mart would thrust their filthy hands out for some free cash.

In the past, victims received restitution after the state collected it off the offender - a process that could take years. The intent of the new fund was to help small businesses and private citizens - people who might suffer serious hardships from theft of cash or merchandise. Six months and 578 payouts later, it was noticed that 20 per cent of the claims were made by major retail chains and banks, and that the corporate claimants were looking for considerably more than their Average Joe counterparts.

Fearing their greed would collapse the fund, the Vermont Center for Crime Victims Services lobbied the state legislature to stop corporate abuse. A re-worked bill has already passed through the Senate and is awaiting a House hearing.

» Scott Saxon