(A) Contribution limit penalties. Any candidate or person who knowingly refuses or fails to comply with the requirements of § 31.07(A) is guilty of a third degree misdemeanor and shall be fined not more than three times the amount accepted. A political action committee, separate segregated fund, political contributing entity, campaign committee, political party, or other organization violating § 31.07(A) shall be fined not more than three times the amount contributed.
(B) Return of contribution. In the event that a candidate returns to its source any contribution or contributions received from that source in excess of the amounts permitted under the provisions of this chapter within five business days of the receipt of such excess contribution, such excess contribution shall not be considered to have been solicited or accepted by such candidate and the candidate, person, political action committee, separate segregated fund, political contributing entity, political party, or other organization will not be liable under the provisions of this section.
(C) Candidate disclosure statement penalties. Any candidate who fails to file any disclosure statement required under § 31.08, knowingly files inaccurate information, or fails to provide information required in any such report is guilty of a fourth degree misdemeanor.
(D) Reporting. Any person with personal knowledge of a violation of §§ 31.07 or 31.08 may report such information on a sworn affidavit to the Director of Law. The Director of Law shall transmit sworn affidavits to the City Manager, who shall consult with the Director of Law to hire Special Counsel who shall investigate the allegations and prosecute violations. The Director of Law shall also transmit to the City Manager matters referred from the Director of Accounting and Auditing under § 31.08(I), and the City Manager shall consult with the Director of Law in the same manner to hire Special Counsel. If Special Counsel determines that there is probable cause to prosecute, Special Counsel shall prosecute the matter in the Franklin County Municipal Court.
(Ord. 04-09, passed 5-4-09)