(A) A finding that any public officer or employee has violated any provision of this subchapter shall, to the extent permitted by state law, constitute cause for reprimand, censure, suspension, removal, or other appropriate disciplinary action.
(B) Any person who is prosecuted for a violation of this subchapter, and either pleads guilty or is found guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction shall be fined an amount not less than $250 nor more than $750 for each offense. In cases of a continuing violation, the City Attorney is authorized to apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for a restraining order or injunction to abate such violation and for such other and further remedies as may be provided by law.
(C) Any transaction which was the subject of an official act or action of the city in which any public officer or employee had an interest prohibited by this subchapter, or which involved the violation of a provision of this subchapter, shall be officially reconsidered upon discovery, disclosure, or determination of such interest or violation.
(D) In the event the City Attorney reasonably determines that it is necessary to conduct an investigation into any alleged violations of the provisions of this subchapter, and that it would not be appropriate for the office of City Attorney to investigate such allegations, the City Attorney, with the advice and consent of the City Council, shall retain the services of an investigator/attorney to act as an independent counsel to investigate the allegations of such violations of this subchapter at an hourly rate not to exceed the then-current hourly rate charged to the city of litigation services by the office of the City Attorney. The independent counsel’s charge shall be to investigate whether or not there is probable cause to believe that a violation of this subchapter has occurred and to take such action on behalf of the city to prosecute such violations. Such independent counsel shall have the sole discretion to determine if prosecution is warranted, to file such charges or complaints as he or she may decide to be appropriate, and to prosecute such complaints or charges on behalf of the city.
(E) The city may also pursue an insurance claim to recover all or some of its losses as a result of fraudulent acts or related misconduct. The city shall have the right to terminate and/or suspend suppliers or contractors that have been found to have committed fraudulent acts or related misconduct.
(Ord. 01-48, passed 2-12-02; Am. Ord. 09-51, passed 4-13-10)