2-156-450 Reserved.

Editor's note – Coun. J. 7-25-12, p. 31123, § 1 renumbered § 2-156-450, which pertains to relationships to other laws, as § 2-156-495.

2-156-455 Cash contributions.

   No person shall make any cash contribution to any candidate for city office in an amount in excess of $250.00.

(Added Coun. J. 7-25-12, p. 31123, § 1)

2-156-460 Reserved.

Editor's note – Coun. J. 7-25-12, p. 31123, § 1 renumbered § 2-156-460, which pertains to sanctions applicable to board of ethics, as § 2-156-500.

ARTICLE VII. PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION (2-156-465 et seq.)

2-156-465 Sanctions.

   (a)   Employment sanction. In addition to any other applicable penalty provided in this article, any employee found to have violated any of the provisions of this chapter, or to have knowingly furnished false or misleading information to the board of ethics, shall be subject to employment sanctions, including discharge, in accordance with procedures under which the employee may otherwise be disciplined. Any official who knowingly files a false or misleading statement of financial interests, or knowingly fails to file a statement within the time prescribed in this chapter, or otherwise violates any provision of this chapter, shall be subject to removal from office.

   (b)   Fines. The following fines shall, as appropriate, apply to violations of this chapter:

      (1)   Failure to complete ethics training. Any employee or official who violates section 2-156-145 and any lobbyist who violates section 2-156-146 shall be fined not less than $200.00 nor more than $750.00 for each such violation. Each day that a violation continues shall constitute a separate and distinct offense to which a separate fine shall apply. The board shall also make public, in a manner that the board may deem appropriate, the names of lobbyists, employees and officials who failed to complete a mandatory ethics training on time.

      (2)   Failure to file a statement of financial interests. Any reporting person who violates section 2-156-190 shall be fined $250 for each such violation. Each day that a violation continues shall constitute a separate and distinct offense to which a separate fine shall apply. The board shall also make public, in a manner that the board may deem appropriate, the names of reporting persons who failed to file statements of financial interests on time.

      (3)   Failure to register or file reports by lobbyists. Any lobbyist who violates section 2-156-245 or section 2-156-270 shall be fined $1,000.00 for each such violation. Each day that a violation continues shall constitute a separate and distinct offense to which a separate fine shall apply. Any lobbyist who violates any provision of Article IV of this chapter shall be subject to the suspension of his lobbyist registration. The board shall also make public, in a manner the board deems appropriate, the names of lobbyists who violate Section 2-156-245 or 2-156-270 and fine assessed.

      (4)   Violating the gift ban or the prohibited political activity sections. Any person who violates section 2-156-142 or section 2-156-135 shall be subject to a fine of not less than $1,000.00 and not more than $5,000.00 for each violation.

      (5)   Improper contributions. Any person who knowingly makes, solicits or accepts a political contribution in violation of section 2-156-140 or section 2-156-445 shall be subject to a fine of not less than $1,000.00 and up to the higher of $5,000.00 or three times the amount of the improper contribution that was accepted for each violation of these sections.

      (6)   False, frivolous, or bad faith allegation. Any person who intentionally makes a false, frivolous, or bad faith allegation to the board shall be fined not less than $500.00 and up to $5,000.00 for each offense, and, if such person is a city contractor, shall be subject to termination of a contract.

      (7)   Violation of sexual harassment provisions. Any person who violates Section 2-156-149 shall be subject to fine of not less than $1,000.00 and not more than $5,000.00 for each violation.

      (8)   Violation of Chapter provisions. Any person who violates any other provision of this chapter, where no other fine is specifically provided, shall be subject to a fine of not less than $500.00 and not more than $2,000.00 for each offense.

   (c)   The board may recommend an employment sanction or impose a fine for any violation of this chapter in accordance with Section 2-156-385 or Section 2-156-392, respectively.

(Prior code § 26.2-41; Added Coun. J. 5-16-90, p. 16204; Amend Coun. J. 5-17-00, p. 32667, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 6-23-04, p. 26931, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 3-9-05, p. 43514, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 7-25-12, p. 31123, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 2-13-13, p. 46730, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 7-29-15, p. 3567, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 11-8-17, p. 58447, § 5)

2-156-470 Reserved.

Editor's note – Coun. J. 7-25-12, p. 31123, § 5, repealed § 2-156-470, which pertained to education.

2-156-475 Reserved.

Editor's note – Coun. J. 7-25-12, p. 31123, § 5, repealed § 2-156-475, which pertained to access to list of current contractors.

2-156-480 Reserved.

Editor's note – Coun. J. 7-25-12, p. 31123, § 5, repealed § 2-156-480, which pertained to severability.