§ 7-1-601. CIVIL ENFORCEMENT.

(a)

In general. At the direction of the Commission, the County Attorney may file a petition for injunctive or other relief in the Circuit Court for the county, or in another court of competent jurisdiction, to require compliance with this title.

(b)

Cease and desist; voiding official action.

(1)

The County Attorney may seek to have the court issue an order requiring a person to cease and desist from a violation of this title, or voiding an official action taken by a public official who has a conflict of interest prohibited by this title, or both.

(2)

(i)

Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, the court may issue an order to void an official action if:

1.

The official action to be voided arises from or concerns the subject matter of the public official's conflict of interest;

2.

The request is brought to the court within 90 days after the occurrence of the official action; and

3.

The court considers voiding the official action to be in the best interests of the public.

(ii)

The court may not void an official action appropriating public funds, levying taxes, or providing for the issuance of bonds, notes, or other evidences of public obligation.

(c)

Civil penalty.

(1)

As part of a petition for relief or as a separate cause of action, the County Attorney may seek to have the court impose a civil penalty of up to $1,000 for a violation of this title.

(2)

Each day the violation occurs constitutes a separate offense.

(d)

Late fee assessed. The Commission may:

(1)

Assess a late fee of $2 per day up to a maximum of $250 for a failure to timely file a financial disclosure statement required under Subtitle 4 of this title; and

(2)

Assess a late fee of $10 per day up to a maximum of $250 for a failure to file a timely lobbyist registration or lobbyist report required under Subtitle 5 of this title.

(e)

Action to recover value. The County Attorney may seek to recover the value of anything received by a person for violations of this title.

(1988 Code, § 28-3) (Bill No. 91-99, § 2, 7-1-2004; Bill No. 75-11, § 11, 1-1-2012; Bill No. 44-12, § 2, 7-15-2012)