Capitol riot caused nearly $1.5 million in damage, federal prosecutors say

The Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol caused nearly $1.5 million in damage, federal prosecutors wrote in a plea agreement with a person involved in the riot.

“Your client acknowledges that the riot that occurred on January 6,2021, caused as of May 17,2021, approximately $1,495,326.55 damage to the United States Capitol,” the plea letter in the case of Paul Hodgkins authored by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mona Sedky said.

Hodgkins pleaded guilty to one count of obstructing an official proceeding and signed off on the statement for the amount of damage the riot caused.

Along with the acknowledgment of the cost of damage, Hodgkins agreed to pay $2,000 for the damage.

“Your client agrees as part of the plea in this matter to pay restitution to the Department of Treasury in the amount of $2,000,” according to the letter.

Several defense attorneys told The Washington Post that prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney’s Office were seeking $2,000 in restitution for every felony case and $500 for every misdemeanor case.

It is unclear what the almost $1.5 million in Hodgkin’s plea agreement covers. The spokesperson for the Architect of the Capitol told the Post that assessments of the damage done on Jan. 6 were given to the Justice Department.

The Justice Department determined the penalty per case for the restitutions, according to the spokesperson.

The Capitol riot damaged windows, doors and artifacts that were displayed in the Capitol.

The Hill has reached out to the Justice Department and Architect of the Capitol for comment.