Judge asks why DOJ isn't seeking more money from US Capitol rioters

[Generic Other]

Washington (CNN)During a plea hearing on Monday, the chief judge in DC's federal court questioned the Justice Department's approach to have US Capitol rioters pay the government small portions of the $1.5 million in damage done to the Capitol building by the mob, while the total cost of the riot to American taxpayers amounts to 300 times more.

"Where we have Congress appropriating all this money due directly to the events on January 6, I have found the damage amount of less than $1.5 million, when all of us American taxpayers are about to foot the bill for close to half a billion dollars, a little bit surprising," said Chief Judge Beryl Howell.
"I'm accustomed to the government being fairly aggressive" in seeking restitution, Howell added.
The defendant who pleaded guilty during Monday's hearing, Glenn Wes Lee Croy, agreed to pay $500 in restitution, which has become typical for defendants pleading to misdemeanors. The few rioters who have pleaded guilty to felony charges have each agreed to pay $2,000 in restitution.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/10/politics/capitol-rioters-money/index.html

[Sherman A1]

1. I am all for taking every dime they have and tossing them

in Gitmo, never to be seen or heard from again. They have proven that they cannot live in a civilized society and I would prefer that they do not do so.

[CrispyQ]

2. These people were well off enough to take time off from work, go to DC, & buy Trump crap.

These amounts are ridiculous! I wonder what kind of restitution the Black Lives Matter protestors had to pay?

[SoCalDavidS]

3. This Country Is Truly Dead

The next 50 years are going to Suck.

[essaynnc]

4. So how much was the bill?

This is the lowest total cost for damages to the Capitol that I've seen yet!

I've seen everything from $15m to $500m. Of course, I think that the last total is probably high, but I guess it depends on what you include:

- National Guard for a month or two.
- Additional police overtime.
- Actual physical damages.
- Loss of limb and life by the police officers
- Continuing costs for mental health for the police officers.
- Costs for additional physical security at the Capitol.
- What else???

Probably lots more, so I think that the $1.5m is way low. But even at this ridiculous level, divided into 600 or so arrested so far, that comes to $2,500 each. Pay Up Bitches, whatever the cost!!!!

[MichMan]

5. Why can't the judge over rule the prosecutors and fine them $5000 each ?