The Secretary of the Treasury is hereby authorized to levy administrative fines not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500) for each violation on any natural or [juridical] person violating the provisions of §§ 15—20 of this title or of any regulations promulgated or which may be promulgated for their enforcement; Provided, That in cases in which the fine is not paid within ten (10) days following the notification thereof, the Secretary of the Treasury shall file a complaint against the offender. The provisions of this section do not preclude the instituting of judicial action in lieu of administrative action.
History —Dec. 15, 1953, No. 7, p. 96, § 4.