§ 2-456. Penalties.

(a)

Any public officer, administrative (appointed) employee, former county employee, or principal who retains a lobbyist who knowingly violates any provision of this article, including, but not limited to, any failure to file any disclosures required by this article or violation of any standard of conduct imposed by this article, may be punished by one or more of the following, as imposed by the hearing officer in the final administrative order:

(1)

Verbal warning;

(2)

Written reprimand;

(3)

Recommend the BCC publically censure the officer or employee; and/or

(4)

A civil penalty not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00) for each violation.

(b)

Any lobbyist who knowingly violates any provision of this article may be punished by one (1) or more of the following, as imposed by the hearing officer in the final administrative order:

(1)

Verbal warning:

(2)

Written reprimand;

(3)

Censure; or

(4)

A civil penalty not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00) for each violation; and/or

(5)

Suspension or prohibition from appearing on behalf of any principal before the board or any county advisory body or from otherwise lobbying for any principal in any fashion for a period of time; provided, however, that any suspension or prohibition may not exceed a period of two (2) years.

(c)

Any employee who is not an administrative (appointed) employee who knowingly violates any provision of this article, including, but not limited to, any failure to file any disclosures required by this article or violation of any standard of conduct imposed by this article, may be subject to discipline, up to and including termination of employment, in a manner consistent with the disciplinary procedures set forth in the Orange County Policy Manual and Operational Regulations.

(d)

Appeal. Pursuant to Florida law allowing for appeal in a local code enforcement matter, an aggrieved party may appeal the final administrative order of the hearing officer to the circuit court. Any appeal shall be filed within thirty (30) days of the execution of the final administrative order.

(Ord. No. 2008-15 , § 2, 7-8-08; Ord. No. 2010-08 , § 6, 6-29-10)