(A) The Ethics Commission may:
(2) Assess a late fee of $10 per day up to a maximum of $250 for a failure to file a timely lobbyist registration or lobbyist report required under § 34.13 of this chapter;
(3) Issue a cease and desist order against any person found to be in violation of this chapter; and
(4) Order the return of anything of value if the Ethics Commission determines a person to be in violation of this chapter.
(B) (1) Upon a finding of a violation of any provision of this chapter, the Ethics Commission may:
(a) Issue an order of compliance directing the respondent to cease and desist from the violation;
(b) Issue a reprimand; or
(c) Recommend to the appropriate authority other appropriate discipline of the respondent, including censure or removal if that discipline is authorized by law.
(2) If the Ethics Commission finds that a respondent has violated § 34.13 of this chapter, the Ethics Commission may:
(a) Require a respondent who is a registered lobbyist to file any additional reports or information that reasonably related to the information that is required under § 34.13 of this chapter;
(b) Impose a fine not exceeding $5,000 for each violation; and
(c) Suspend the registration of an individual registered lobbyist if the Ethics Commission finds that the lobbyist has knowingly and willfully violated § 34.13 of this chapter or has been convicted of a criminal offense arising from lobbying activities.
(C) (1) Upon request of by the Ethics Commission, the County Attorney may file a petition for injunctive or other relief in the Circuit Court of Carroll County, or in any other court having proper venue for the purpose of requiring compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
(2) (a) The court may:
1. Issue an order to cease and desist from the violation;
2. Except as provided in division (C)(2)(b) of this section, void an official action taken by an official or employee with a conflict of interest prohibited by this chapter when the action arises from or concerns the subject matter of the conflict and if the legal action is brought within 90 days of the occurrence of the official action, if the court deems voiding the action to be in the best interest of the public; or
3. Impose a fine of up to $5,000.00 for any violation of the provisions of this chapter, with each day upon which the violation occurs constituting a separate offense;
(b) A court may not void any official action appropriating public funds, levying taxes, or providing for the issuance of bonds, notes, or other evidences of public obligations.
(D) In addition to any other enforcement provisions in this chapter, a person who the Ethics Commission or a court finds has violated this chapter:
(1) Is subject to termination or other disciplinary action; and
(2) May be suspended from receiving payment of salary or other compensation pending full compliance with the terms of an order of the Ethics Commission or a court.
(E) A county official or employee found to have violated this chapter is subject to disciplinary or other appropriate personnel action, including removal from office, disciplinary action, suspension of salary, or other sanction.
(F) Violation of § 34.13 of this chapter shall be a misdemeanor subject to a fine of up to $10,000 or imprisonment of up to one year.
(G) A finding of a violation of this chapter by the Ethics Commission is public information.
(2004 Code, § 18-15) (Ord. 03-14, passed 7-1-2003; Ord. 2018-02, passed 3-13-2018; Ord. 2021-03, passed 3-11-2021)