MIAMI , Florida ( CNN ) -- An illegal immigrant dishwasher who lost $ 49,000 to the U.S. government as he tried to take it home to Guatemala will get some of the money back , his attorney said Wednesday . " Zapeta was stopped in jail trying to take $ 59,000 home to Guatemala . Zapeta had paid taxes on the money , did n't know he had to declare it , attorney said . He was fined $ 49,000 and left jail under threat of deportation . New ruling says judge applied wrong standard and Zapeta can get some back .
" Zapeta was stopped in jail trying to take $ 59,000 home to Guatemala . Zapeta had paid taxes on the money , did n't know he had to declare it , attorney said . He was fined $ 49,000 and left jail under threat of deportation . New ruling says judge applied wrong standard and Zapeta can get some back .