CALIFORNIA IN BRIEF : SAN DIEGO : Silberman Ordered to Pay $50,000 Fine

Richard T. Silberman, sentenced last week to 46 months in federal prison for his role in a money-laundering scheme, was ordered to pay a $50,000 fine amid disclosure that the once-wealthy San Diego financier owes more than $1.5 million in legal fees. Despite Silberman’s whopping debts, which total at least $2.1 million, U.S. District Judge J. Lawrence Irving imposed the fine because he was not convinced Silberman was unable to pay a fine required under rigid new federal sentencing guidelines, according to court documents. “We are satisfied with the judge’s ruling and I think this closes the book on Richard Silberman,” said Assistant U.S. Atty. Charles F. Gorder.