Sec. 602.704. - Penalties.

(a) It shall be a violation of this Chapter for any person to violate a provision of this Part. (b) The first allegation that a person has violated any policy adopted by the person's department or agency pursuant to subsection 602.701 (b) shall be handled according to existing policies and procedures by the Employee Services Department of the Executive Department or the human resources or ethics office of the respective agency, with notification to and in consultation with the Office of Ethics, Compliance and Oversight. The Employee Services Department of the Executive Department or the human resources or ethics office of the respective agency shall have the option to defer such handling and refer the matter directly to the Jacksonville Ethics Commission. Any subsequent allegations of violations by a person who has previously been determined to have violated any policy adopted by a department or agency pursuant to Section 602.701 (b) shall be filed as a complaint with the Jacksonville Ethics Commission. (c) In addition to any penalties prescribed by law, the City, Constitutional Officer or an independent agency shall be entitled to recover from the officer or employee the amount of the fee, commission, gift, gratuity, loan or other consideration. This recovery may be imposed as a fine by the Circuit Court or by the Jacksonville Ethics Commission. The City, Constitutional Officer or independent agency may also file a civil action to pursue the funds. (Ord. 2018-710-E , § 2)