Seventh Circuit Upholds Sanctions Against Civil Rights Plaintiff for Frivolous Assertion of Fifth Amendment Privilege

Per Ienco v. Angarone, 429 F.3d 680 (7th Cir. Nov. 14, 2005):

[Plaintiff] Ienco also challenges the district court's imposition of monetary sanctions, totaling $4075, for asserting his Fifth Amendment privilege in response to deposition questioning. The court concluded that Ienco's assertion of privilege lacked merit and was an obstructionist tactic. Reviewing an order of sanctions for abuse of discretion . . . we conclude that the district court did not err when it sanctioned Ienco. We also find that $4075 is a reasonable and appropriate award for attorneys' fees and costs related to Ienco's conduct.