U.S. District Judge Ernest Torres suspended a $1,000-a-day fine he had imposed when he found Jim Taricani in civil contempt in March, saying it had not achieved its goal. WJAR has paid $85,000 in fines on Taricani's behalf so far.
But the judge set a trial for Nov. 18 on criminal contempt charges that could send Taricani to prison for up to six months.
Prosecutors want to know who gave the tape to Taricani because the leak violated a court order. He broke no law by airing the tape, which shows a chief of staff for former Mayor Vincent "Buddy" Cianci Jr. taking an envelope stuffed with cash.
The judge said the leak was meant to either disrupt the corruption investigation at City Hall or deprive defendants of a fair trial by influencing prospective jurors. He asked Taricani to consider if his source deserves to be protected.
"What kind of person would sit back and keep quiet while you face ... the prospect of criminal contempt?" Torres asked.
Taricani, who had a heart transplant in 1996 and has a pacemaker, said he will talk with his lawyers and family about his options.
"I think anyone would have to think seriously about what actions they could take to stay out of prison," he said. But he said if necessary, he was prepared to accept jail time because "my source expects me to uphold my promise."
Cianci was convicted in 2002 in a scheme to take bribes for tax breaks, favors and jobs. The aide on the tape, Frank Corrente, was convicted of serving as Cianci's "bag man."
Reporters around the country have been held in contempt in recent months for refusing to disclose their sources. Judith Miller of The New York Times and Time magazine's Matt Cooper are both appealing contempt charges.
Five reporters, including one from The Associated Press, were held in contempt last summer in a civil case brought against the government by former nuclear physicist Wen Ho Lee. Fines were levied; payments were suspended pending appeals.
Television reporter Jim Taricani was convicted of criminal contempt Thursday for not revealing to authorities the source of a video that he had received and reported on. The video had been sealed to prevent the public from seeing it. 

US District Court Judge Ernest Torres convicted Taricani, a reporter for WJAR-TV News in Providence, Rhode Island. The video in question showed the city's mayor, Vincent Cianci, taking a $1000 bribe. The official was subsequently convicted for corruption. During Cianci's trial, the court had ordered the video to be sealed. It was subsequently released to reporter Jim Taricani. Torres opined that the leak had been designed to prevent a fair trial and, as the video was sealed, the person who leaked it had broken the law.

Taricani's refusal to identify the leaker had been the basis for his conviction of civil contempt on March 16. A USD $1000 fine was to be issued every day until Taricani revealed his source. He has paid all fines, and was reimbursed by WJAR-TV News for all expenses. Torres suspended the fine, calling it ineffective.

Taricani defended his action, saying: "I made a promise to my source, which I intend to keep."

Prosecutions for not revealing sources are becoming an increasingly common occurrence. Eight journalists have been convicted in recent months. Speaking in an interview Wednesday, he said, "I'm proud to be a part of this effort with other reporters who are facing this same thing."

Sentencing is to take place December 9th. Torres has said Taricani will receive no more than six months due to ill health.