§ 7807. Enforcement
(a)
Jurisdiction
A district court of the United States shall have jurisdiction to enforce, and to prevent and restrain any person from violating, this chapter or an order or regulation issued by the Secretary under this chapter.
(b)
Referral to Attorney General
A civil action brought under subsection (a) of this section shall be referred to the Attorney General for appropriate action, except that the Secretary is not required to refer to the Attorney General a violation of this chapter, or an order or regulation issued under this chapter, if the Secretary believes that the administration and enforcement of this chapter would be adequately served by administrative action under subsection (c) of this section or suitable written notice or warning to the person who committed or is committing the violation.
(c)
Civil penalties and orders
(1)
Civil penalties
(A)
In general
A person who violates a provision of this chapter, or an order or regulation issued by the Secretary under this chapter, or who fails or refuses to pay, collect, or remit any assessment or fee required of the person under an order or regulation issued under this chapter, may be assessed by the Secretary—
(2)
Cease and desist orders
In addition to or in lieu of a civil penalty under paragraph (1), the Secretary may issue an order requiring a person to cease and desist from continuing a violation of this chapter, or an order or regulation issued under this chapter.
(3)
Notice and hearing
No penalty shall be assessed, or cease and desist order issued, by the Secretary under this subsection unless the Secretary gives the person against whom the penalty is assessed or the order is issued notice and opportunity for a hearing before the Secretary with respect to the violation. Any such hearing shall be conducted in accordance with section
7808
(b)(2) of this title and shall be held within the United States judicial district in which the residence or principal place of business of the person is located.
(4)
Finality
The penalty assessed or cease and desist order issued under this subsection shall be final and conclusive unless the person against whom the penalty is assessed or the order is issued files an appeal with the appropriate district court of the United States in accordance with subsection (d) of this section.
(d)
Review by district court
(1)
Commencement of action
(A)
In general
Any person against whom a violation is found and a civil penalty is assessed or a cease and desist order is issued under subsection (c) of this section may obtain review of the penalty or order by, within the 30-day period beginning on the date the penalty is assessed or the order is issued—
(e)
Failure to obey an order
(1)
In general
A person who fails to obey a cease and desist order issued under subsection (c) of this section after the order has become final and unappealable, or after the appropriate United States district court had entered a final judgment in favor of the Secretary of not more than $10,000 for each offense, after opportunity for a hearing and for judicial review under the procedures specified in subsections (c) and (d) of this section.
(f)
Failure to pay a penalty
(1)
In general
If a person fails to pay a civil penalty assessed under subsection (c) or (e) of this section after the penalty has become final and unappealable, or after the appropriate United States district court has entered final judgment in favor of the Secretary, the Secretary shall refer the matter to the Attorney General for recovery of the amount assessed in any United States district court in which the person resides or conducts business.
(g)
Additional remedies
The remedies provided in this chapter shall be in addition to, and not exclusive of, other remedies that may be available.