(A) The Commission may:
(2) Assess a late fee of $10 per day up to a maximum of$1,000 for a failure to file a timely lobbyist registration or lobbyist report required under § 1-7.1-8 of this chapter; and
(3) Issue a cease and desist order against any person found to be in violation of this chapter.
(B) (1) Upon a finding of a violation of any provision of this chapter, the 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 Commission finds that a respondent has violated § 1-7.1-8 of this chapter, the Commission may:
(a) Require a respondent who is a registered lobbyist to file any additional reports or information reasonably related to the information that is required under § 1-7.1-8 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 Commission finds that the lobbyist has knowingly and willfully violated § 1-7.1-8 of this chapter or has been convicted of a criminal offense arising from lobbying activities.
(C) (1) Upon request of the Commission, the County Attorney may file a petition for injunctive or other relief in the Circuit Court of Frederick 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:
(i) Issue an order to cease and desist from the violation;
(ii) Except as provided in subparagraph (2)(b) of this paragraph, 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
(iii) Impose a fine of up to $5,000 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 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 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) (1) Any person who knowingly and willfully violates § 1-7.1-8 of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction, is subject to a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment for not more than 1 year, or both.
(2) If the person is a business entity and not a natural person, each officer and partner of the business entity who knowingly authorized or participated in the violation is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, is subject to the same penalties as the business entity.
(G) A finding of a violation of this chapter by the Commission is public information. If the Commission finds that an official or employee who was the subject of an ethics complaint has violated this chapter, the name of the official or employee is public information and must be included in the Commission's written decision.
(Ord. 11-26-592, 11-17-2011; Ord. 14-23-678, 11-13-2014; Bill No. 16-01, 3-1-2016; Bill No. 18-14, 6-5-2018)