The judge overseeing Donald Trump’s money laundering efforts on Tuesday fined the former US president $9,000 for contempt of court and said he could face prison if he continues to break the law.
Justice Juan Mercan said in a written order that the fine could not serve as a deterrent to the wealthy businessman-politician and regretted that he did not have the authority to impose a higher sentence.
“The defendants have been warned that they will not tolerate any intentional violation of the legal order of the court and that they will be sentenced to probation if necessary,” said Merchan.
Merchan issued an order to prevent Trump from criticizing witnesses and those involved in the case.
The $1,000 fine for each of the nine online statements Mercha said violated the order was less than the $10,000 penalty prosecutors sought for articles that disparaged witnesses and cast doubt on the fairness of the jury.
Merchan will consider whether to impose additional fines for other statements at a hearing on Thursday.
The judge also ordered Trump to remove it from his Social Truth account and campaign website by 2:15 p.m. EDT (1815 GMT).
Mercha’s order began with testimony from a banker familiar with accounts involved in Trump’s scheme to influence the 2016 election by covering up a sex scandal at a New York trial.
The 2024 Republican presidential candidate is accused of falsifying employment records to hide a $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels in 2006 in exchange for her silence about her alleged sexual relationship with Trump.
On Tuesday morning, about two dozen Trump supporters gathered outside the courthouse, chanting his name and waving “TRUMP 24” signs. Local Republican organizations are calling for supporters after protests from those protesting Trump’s impeachment.
Banker Harry Farrow, who has not been accused of wrongdoing, testified Friday about financial statements provided by one-time Trump lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen, who prosecutors say helped him implement the scheme.
Trump is scheduled to attend the hearing and has said he may campaign ahead of the Nov. 5 elections against US President Biden.
The criminal case is one of four pending against Trump, but it could be the only one to go to trial and be sentenced before the election.
