Circuit Judge John Hamilton Smith fined The...

Circuit Judge John Hamilton Smith fined The Citadel $1,000 for violating a gag order he issued in Marc Buoniconti’s $16.5-million negligence suit against the college. Smith originally issued a $5,000 fine, but later reduced it.

Buoniconti, son of former Miami Dolphin star Nick Buoniconti, was the starting middle linebacker for the Bulldogs when he suffered a broken neck while making a tackle in a game Oct. 26, 1985. He was left a quadriplegic.

In the contempt matter, the judge ruled that the college willfully disobeyed the gag order he issued in March.

“I’m sure The Citadel is embarrassed by it and they should be,” Smith said. “It’s disappointing.”

Attorneys for Buoniconti asked for sanctions after Citadel public relations director Ben Legare approached the Charleston (S.C.) News and Courier last week, asking that the newspaper review and consider running an opinion column, syndicated by Knight-Ridder, Inc., on the case.