In U.S. v. Gonzalez, No. 06-15365 (Sept. 2, 2008), the Court reversed the imposition of a $250,000 fine on a defendant convicted of fraud.
The Court noted that the PSI concluded that the defendant lacked the ability to pay a fine. The district court at sentencing stated without explanation that Gonzalez was able to pay a fine, and imposed a $250,000 fine. This fine was three times the maximum provided by the Guidelines. The defendant objected.
Because the record provided no explanation regarding the basis for the fine, the Court vacated the sentence and remanded for resentencing.
