Story highlights A recording of Supreme Court proceedings unearthed Wednesday revealed justices laughing when five protesters interrupted a hearing

At one point, Scalia hoped aloud for the protestors to receive "stiff, stiff sentences" for their activity

Washington (CNN) The microphones were on, and the Supreme Court justices kept talking.

A recording of Supreme Court proceedings unearthed Wednesday revealed Justice Antonin Scalia and two other conservative justices laughing when five protesters interrupted a hearing with a message about campaign finance on April 1. At one point, Scalia hoped aloud for the protestors to receive "stiff, stiff sentences" for their activity.

The audio, produced as part of the discovery portion of the criminal proceedings against them, shows the candor that Scalia, Justice Clarence Thomas and Chief Justice John Roberts display when they find their usually orderly courtrooms interrupted. The recording also provides a bit of insight into the justices' personalities and interactions.

And Scalia's comments are particularly irksome for the protesters, who say it shows that the court doesn't take the growing influence of money in politics seriously.

"What Scalia says reflects that attitude of contempt," Kai Newkirk, who is the director with 99Rise, which sponsored the protests, told CNN Thursday. "It reveals an attitude -- saying these people should be given 'stiff, stiff penalties' -- that they don't want to hear the voices of the people."

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