981r

The Secretary is hereby authorized to impose and collect administrative fines of not less than fifty dollars ($50) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500) for any violation to the provisions of this chapter or to the provisions contained in the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.Whenever the nature of the violation of this chapter or of the rules and regulations, or orders and resolutions issued by the Secretary may justify it, instead of the imposition of the administrative fine authorized in the preceding paragraph, the Secretary shall promote a criminal action against the violator.Any violation to the provisions of this chapter or to the provisions contained in the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or to the orders and resolutions issued by the Secretary, shall constitute a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) or by imprisonment in jail not to exceed two years, or both penalties in the discretion of the court. History —June 27, 1968, No. 143, p. 409, § 19.