| 1. Civil fine. In addition to any other penalties that may |
be applicable, a person who violates any provision of this |
chapter or rules of the commission adopted pursuant to section |
1126 is subject to a fine not to exceed $10,000 per violation |
payable to the fund. The commission may assess a fine of up to |
$10,000 for a violation of the reporting requirements of sections |
1017 and 1019-B if it determines that the failure to file a |
timely and accurate report resulted in the late payment of |
matching funds. This fine is recoverable in a civil action. In |
addition to any fine, for good cause shown, a candidate, |
treasurer, consultant or other agent of the candidate or the |
committee authorized by the candidate pursuant to section 1013-A, |
subsection 1 found in violation of this chapter or rules of the |
commission may be required to return to the fund all amounts |
distributed to the candidate from the fund or any funds not used |
for campaign-related purposes. If the commission makes a |
determination that a violation of this chapter or rules of the |
commission has occurred, the commission shall assess a fine or |
transmit the finding to the Attorney General for prosecution. |
Fines paid under this section must be deposited in the fund. In |
determining whether or not a candidate is in violation of the |
expenditure limits of this chapter, the commission may consider |
as a mitigating factor any circumstances out of the candidate's |
control. |