§ 163-278.70. Civil penalty.
§ 163‑278.70. Civil penalty.
In addition to any other penalties that may be applicable, anyindividual, political committee, or other entity that violates any provision ofthis Article is subject to a civil penalty of up to ten thousand dollars($10,000) per violation or three times the amount of any financial transactionsinvolved in the violation, whichever is greater. In addition to any fine, forgood cause shown, a candidate found in violation of this Article may berequired to return to the Fund all amounts distributed to the candidate fromthe Fund. If the Board makes a determination that a violation of this Articlehas occurred, the Board shall calculate and assess the amount of the civilpenalty and shall notify the entity that is assessed the civil penalty of theamount that has been assessed. The Board shall then proceed in the mannerprescribed in G.S. 163‑278.34. In determining whether or not a candidateis in violation of this Article, the Board may consider as a mitigating factorany circumstances out of the candidate's control. (2002‑158, s. 1.)