Elderly Woman Secures Settlement After $590K Fine Over Error

WHO:

NY Post - An 83-year-old widow is involved in the case.

Fox News - The Pacific Legal Foundation attorneys represented the widow.

WHAT:

NY Post - The widow was fined $10,000 a day for an advertising violation.

Fox News - The total fine amounted to $590,000 due to the daily penalties.

Fox News - A lien was placed on her home of 56 years as a result of the fines.

NY Post - The settlement was reached after the fines were deemed excessive.

WHERE:

NY Post - The fines were issued by the city of Honolulu.

WHY:

NY Post - The fines were a result of an advertising violation caused by a website glitch.

Fox News - The Pacific Legal Foundation argued that the fines violated the Eighth Amendment's proportionality requirement.

HOW:

NY Post - The widow's legal team argued against the fines based on constitutional grounds.

(UPDATED July 28, 2026 06:48 UTC)

An 83-year-old widow in Honolulu faced a staggering total fine of $590,000 due to an advertising violation stemming from a website glitch, which resulted in daily penalties of $10,000. The Pacific Legal Foundation represented her in challenging these fines, arguing that they violated the Eighth Amendment's requirement for proportionality. Ultimately, a settlement was reached after the fines were deemed excessive, and a lien that had been placed on her home of 56 years was addressed.