Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 124.djvu/3056

 124 STAT. 3030 PUBLIC LAW 111–281—OCT. 15, 2010 title 18, United States Code, or imprisoned not more than 6 years, or both. SEC. 1042. CIVIL ENFORCEMENT. (a) CIVIL PENALTY.— (1) IN GENERAL.—Any person who is found by the Secretary or the Administrator, as appropriate, after notice and an oppor- tunity for a hearing, to have— (A) violated the Convention, this title, or any regulation prescribed under this title, is liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of not more than $37,500 for each violation; or (B) made a false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation in any matter in which a statement or representation is required to be made to the Secretary under the Convention, this title, or any regulations pre- scribed under this title, is liable to the United States for a civil penalty of not more than $50,000 for each such statement or representation. (2) RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER LAW.—This subsection shall not limit or affect the authority of the Government under section 1001 of title 18, United States Code. (b) ASSESSMENT OF PENALTY.—The amount of the civil penalty shall be assessed by the Secretary or Administrator, as appropriate, by written notice. (c) LIMITATION FOR RECREATIONAL VESSEL.—A civil penalty imposed under subsection (a) against the owner or operator of a recreational vessel, as that term is defined in section 2101 of title 46, United States Code, for a violation of the Convention, this title, or any regulation prescribed under this title involving that recreational vessel, may not exceed $5,000 for each violation. (d) DETERMINATION OF PENALTY.—For purposes of penalties under this section, each day of a continuing violation constitutes a separate violation. In determining the amount of the penalty, the Secretary or Administrator shall take into account the nature, circumstances, extent, and gravity of the prohibited acts committed and, with respect to the violator, the degree of culpability, any history of prior offenses, the economic impact of the penalty on the violator, the economic benefit to the violator and other matters as justice may require. (e) REWARD.—An amount equal to not more than one-half of any civil penalty assessed by the Secretary or Administrator under this section may, subject to the availability of appropriations, be paid by the Secretary or Administrator, respectively, to any person who provided information that led to the assessment or imposition of the penalty. (f) REFERRAL TO ATTORNEY GENERAL.—If any person fails to pay a civil penalty assessed under this section after it has become final, or comply with an order issued under this title, the Secretary or Administrator, as appropriate, may refer the matter to the Attorney General of the United States for collection in any appro- priate district court of the United States. (g) COMPROMISE, MODIFICATION, OR REMISSION.—Before refer- ring any civil penalty that is subject to assessment or has been assessed under this section to the Attorney General, the Secretary, or Administrator, as appropriate, may compromise, modify, or remit, with or without conditions, the civil penalty. Notice. 33 USC 3852.