PUBLIC LAW 94-364—JULY 14, 1976
90 STAT. 985
"(b) Any civil penalty under this section shall be assessed by the Secretary and collected in a civil action brought by the Attorney General on behalf of the United States. Before referral of civil penalty claims to the Attorney General, civil penalties may be compromised by the Secretary after affording the person charged with a violation of any section of this title an opportunity to present views and evidence in support thereof to establish that the alleged violation did not occur. In determining the amount of such penalty, the Secretary shall take into account the nature, circumstances, extent, and gravity of the violation committed and, with respect to the person found to have committed such violation, the degree of culpability, any history of prior offenses, ability to pay, effect on ability to continue to do business, and such other matters as justice may require. "CRIMINAL PENALTIES
"SEC. 413. (a) Any person who knowingly and willfully commits 15 USC 1990c. any act or causes to be done any act that violates any provision of this title or knowingly and willfully omits to do any act or causes to be omitted any act that is required by any such provision shall be fined not more than $50,000 or imprisoned not more than one year, or both. "(b) Any individual director, officer, or agent of a corporation who knowingly and willfully authorizes, orders, or performs any of the acts or practices constituting in whole or in part a violation of any section of this title shall be subject to penalties under this section without regard to any penalties to which that corporation may be subject under subsection (a). ((INSPECTIONS
AND
INVESTIGATIONS
"SEC. 414. (a)(1) The Secretary is authorized to conduct any 15 USC 1990a. inspection or investigation necessary to enforce this title or any rules, regulations, or orders issued thereunder. Information obtained indicating noncompliance with this title or any rules, regulations, or orders issued thereunder, may be referred to the Attorney General for investigative consideration. In making investigations under this Cooperation, paragraph, the Secretary shall cooperate with appropriate State and local officials to the greatest extent possible consistent with the purposes of this subsection. "(2) For purposes of carrying out paragraph (1) of this subsection, officers or employees duly designated by the Secretary, upon stating their purpose and presenting appropriate credentials and written notice (which notice may consist of an administrative inspection warrant) to the owner, operator, or agent in charge, are authorized at reasonable times and in a reasonable manner— "(A) to enter (i) any factory, warehouse, establishment, or other commercial premises in or on which motor vehicles or items of motor vehicle equipment are manufactured, held for shipment or sale, maintained, or repaired, or (ii) any noncommercial premises in or on which the Secretary reasonably believes that there is a motor vehicle or item of motor vehicle equipment that has been the obj ect of a violation of this title;
�
