The Justice Department is attempting to recover money that defendants in the Capitol riots obtained via online fundraising campaigns.
To counteract gifts from supporters, prosecutors are now asking judges to impose penalties in addition to prison terms.
Imposing Fines on Capitol Riot Defendants
On websites like GiveSendGo, many defendants have set up petitions, frequently portraying themselves as the victims of governmental oppression.
Almost $390,000 in fines have been sought against at least 21 riot defendants so far this year, and judges have fined at least 33 defendants a total of at least $124,127.
Moreover, payment for damages totaling over $524,000 has been awarded for hundreds of guilty rioters.
Peter Schwartz, a Kentucky man who used pepper spray and a chair to attack police officers outside the Capitol, was the target of prosecutors’ more than $70,000 fine request.
Schwartz was given a sentence of more than 14 years in prison last month by District Judge Amit Mehta, one of the harshest so far in a case involving a Capitol disturbance, but no fine was imposed.
Prosecutors Seek Fine Amidst Efforts to Prevent Financial Gain
John Strand, the cover model for a romance novel, was found guilty by a jury of storming the Capitol with Dr. Simone Gold, a prominent anti-vaccine physician from California.
In addition to a prison sentence, the prosecution is now asking the judge to sentence Strand to a $50,000 fine on Thursday.
Prosecutors claim that Strand has raised more than $17,300 for his defense without disclosing that he is represented by a taxpayer-funded attorney.
They claim Strand possesses significant financial means, as evidenced by the fact that he resides in a house that cost more than $3 million to buy just last year.
The government’s push for fines coincides with the sentencing of more serious offenders who tend to be prolific fundraisers.
While judges are not always approving the requested fines, the government is determined to prevent rioters from profiting from their participation in the attack on the Capitol.
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