A man who protested in front of Portland's day labor center was ordered to pay a fine by a judge in court this week.

Tom Wenning said he believes taxpayers should be reimbursed the $200,000 that it cost the city to open the center. He said he does not want his tax dollars spent there and pointed out that it is illegal under federal law to hire an undocumented worker.

Wenning is suing Mayor Tom Potter and the city commissioners who approved city funding for the center.

And in addition to his lawsuit, he protested outside the center. For that, he was charged with disorderly conduct and must now pay a $500 fine.

"I'll be paying the $500 today. Small price to pay for keeping the day labor center on the front burner and for getting that courtroom experience. I fully expected to be found guilty," Wenning told KGW Monday.

Meantime, city leaders would not comment on pending litigation.

But when the center opened, Potter shared his support, saying workers are guaranteed a $10-per hour minimum wage, shelter from the rain and a chance to learn English.

“Since we opened the center, we haven't had any incidents of employers not paying a worker here," Ignacio Paramor, who operates the center, said.

Paramour said anywhere between 15 and 40 workers get hired there daily.

Wenning said those jobs should go those in the U.S legally, and vows to continue his protest.

Wenning is also seeking a little more than $5,000, saying his civil rights were violated, when earlier this summer police arrested him for misdemeanor disorderly conduct for blocking a driveway there.

(KGW Reporter Amy Troy contributed to this report)