Trump could be fined $ 12 million after an Illinois judge claimed his hotel violated environmental protection regulations for years.

The ruling was announced by Sophia Hall, a judge of Cook County, Illinois on February 5 that the Trump International Hotel of the former US president illegally used water from the Chicago River for cooling, violating the security regulations.

This ruling stems from the 2018 lawsuit against Donald Trump's hotel in Chicago.

Trump hotel initially had a license to cool this way, but expired in 2017 and has not yet renewed.

Judge Hall said the fine will be decided in the near future.

For violations since 2017, the former president's hotel could have to pay up to $ 12 million in fines, according to the Chicago Tribune.

The Chicago lawsuit is just one of a series of legal troubles that former President Trump may face after leaving the White House.