The fine points of fines as Scooter pays up

As detailed in this NBC story (and verified by the picture here released by the DC District Court), Scooter Libby today paid his $250,000 fine (plus a $400 special assessment).  The NBC story reports that a “source close to Libby … emphasized that the fine imposed by U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton was paid entirely from Libby’s personal funds.” 

Meanwhile, in this nice Slate piece, Michelle Tsai notes that even if Libby gets pardoned, it may be hard for him can he get his money back.  But, given Libby’s apparent ability to cut a check for a cool quarter million from his “personal funds” only a month after his sentencing, I cannot help but conclude that the fine has not been too harmful to Libby’s bottom-line. 

Relatedly, the Slate piece has this interesting concluding item: “While Libby’s personal finances are a bit of a mystery today, that may soon change: According to the terms of his supervised release, he’s required to report all income of more than $500.”