A. Any person who intentionally or negligently violates the contribution provisions of this article and fails to cure any such violation within 14 days of receipt of a written notice of violation, shall be liable in a civil action brought by the City Attorney or by any person residing within the jurisdiction who has issued such notice of violation. Said written notice shall also be sent concurrently to the City Attorney, which shall be preserved in the public record for the term of the statute of limitations of this article.
B. Before filing a civil action pursuant to this article, a person must first file with the City Attorney a written request for the City Attorney to commence the action. The request shall include a statement of the grounds for believing a cause of action exists. The City Attorney shall respond to the person in writing within 14 days of receipt of such request, indicating whether he or she intends to file a civil action and the reasons therefor. The City Attorney’s response shall be preserved in the public record for the term of the statute of limitations of this article. If the alleged violation is not cured or the City Attorney does not respond with 14 days or does not intend to file a civil action pursuant to this article then the person(s) requesting the action may proceed to file a civil action pursuant to this article. Civil liability under this section shall not exceed five (5) times the amount of the unlawful contribution.
C. If two or more persons are responsible for any violation, they shall be jointly and severally liable.
D. No civil action alleging a violation of any provision of this article shall be filed more than two (2) years after the date the violation occurred.
E. The prevailing party in any civil action to enforce the provisions of this article shall have the right to collect from the other party all reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs incurred.
F. No civil action alleging a violation of this title may be filed against a person pursuant to this section if the criminal prosecutor is maintaining a criminal action against that person pursuant to section 101N.