(A) Except when another penalty is specifically set forth in this chapter, any officer or employee of the city or any city agency who is found by the Board of Ethics to have violated any provisions of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a civil offense and may be subject to a civil fine imposed by the Board of Ethics not to exceed $1,000, which may be recovered by the city in a civil action in the nature of debt if the offender fails to pay the penalty within a prescribed period of time.
(B) In addition to all other penalties which may be imposed under this chapter, any officer or employee of the city or any agency who is found by the Board of Ethics to have violated any provision of this chapter shall forfeit to the city or the city agency an amount equal to the economic benefit or gain which the officer or employee is determined by the Board to have realized as a result of the violation. The amount of any forfeiture may be recovered by the city in a civil action in the nature of debt, if the offender fails to pay the amount of the forfeiture within a prescribed period of time.
(C) In addition to all other penalties which may be imposed under this chapter, a finding by the Board of Ethics that an officer or employee of the city or any city agency is guilty of a violation of this chapter shall be sufficient cause for removal, suspension, demotion, or other disciplinary action by the executive authority of the city or city agency, or by any other officer or agency having the power of removal or discipline. Any action to remove or discipline any officer or employee for a violation of this chapter shall be taken in accordance with all applicable ordinances and regulations of the city and all applicable laws of the state.
(D) Any violation of § 37.016 shall constitute a Class A misdemeanor, and upon conviction, the court may void any contract entered into in violation of § 37.016, additionally, a violation of § 37.016 shall be grounds for removal from office or employment with the city in accordance with any applicable provisions of state law and ordinances, rules, or regulations of the city.
(E) Any person who fails or refuses to file the statement or who fails or refuses to remedy a deficiency in the filing identified in the notice under § 37.040(A) within the time period established in the notice shall be guilty of a civil offense and shall be subject to a civil fine imposed by the Board in an amount not to exceed $25 per day up to a maximum total civil fine of $500. Any civil fine imposed by the Board under § 37.040 may be recovered by the city in a civil action in the nature of debt if the offender fails or refuses to pay the penalty within a prescribed period of time.
(F) Any person who knowingly files with the Board a false complaint alleging a violation of any provision of this chapter by an officer or employee of the city or any city agency, in violation of § 37.074, shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
(Ord. 94-06, passed 12-12-1994)