Philadelphia Code tit. 20, ch. 20-1300 — PENALTIES FOR CAMPAIGN FINANCE-RELATED AND ETHICS-RELATED VIOLATIONS | The Philadelphia Code (2026 Code: The Philadelphia Code and Home Rule Charter current through October 8, 2026) — City of Philadelphia

Philadelphia Code § 20-1301 Penalties for Specific Violations.

§ 20-1301. Penalties for Specific Violations. Each violation of the following provisions shall be subject to the specified penalties set forth below: (1) Subsections 20-1002(1), (2), (3), (4), and (5) and Section 20-1010 (accepting contributions which exceed limits): Each violation shall be subject to a fine or civil penalty of three times the amount by which an accepted contribution exceeded the limit, or two thousand dollars ($2,000), whichever is less. If the candidate who accepted an excess contribution returns the excess amount to the donor within fifteen (15) days after receiving the contribution and so notifies the Board of Ethics in writing, then no fine or civil penalty shall be imposed. (2) Subsection 20-1006(4) (campaign finance filings) and Section 20-1011 (litigation fund filings): For failure to file a report in electronic format as required, a fine or civil penalty of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) shall be imposed. Each day the report remains unfiled shall be considered a separate offense for which an additional fine or civil penalty may be imposed, provided that the total fines or civil penalties that may be imposed for failure to file a particular report shall not exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000) for the first thirty days the report remains unfiled, plus one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each additional thirty day period (or part thereof) the report remains unfiled. (3) Subsection 20-606(1)(b) (failure to attend ethics training) and Section 20-611 (failure to provide copy of Ethics Code to employees): Each violation shall be subject to a fine or civil penalty of up to two hundred fifty dollars ($250).

Philadelphia Code § 20-1302 Penalties for Other Violations; Mitigating and Aggravating Factors.

§ 20-1302. Penalties for Other Violations; Mitigating and Aggravating Factors. All other violations of Chapters 20-600 or 20-1000 shall be subject to a fine or civil penalty of one thousand dollars ($1,000), subject to the following provisions. (1) Definitions. For purposes of this Section the following definitions apply. (a) Mitigating Factors. The following are mitigating factors: (.1) Good faith effort to comply. The violator is found to have made a good faith effort to comply with the law. (.2) Prompt corrective action. The violator is found to have taken prompt corrective action where corrective action was possible to remedy the violation. (.3) Prompt self-reporting. The violator is found to have reported promptly his or her violation to the Board of Ethics. (.4) Such other circumstances as may be identified by the Board of Ethics, by regulation, to warrant a reduced penalty. (b) Aggravating Factors. The following are aggravating factors: (.1) Intent. The violator is found to have acted knowingly. An act is done knowingly if done voluntarily and intentionally, and not because of mistake or accident or other innocent reason. (.2) Repeat violation. The violator previously has been found by the Board of Ethics in an administrative adjudication or by a court of competent jurisdiction to have violated the same provision. (.3) Obstruction of investigation. The violator is found to have obstructed the investigation of the Board of Ethics into the same violation. (.4) Such other circumstances as may be identified by the Board of Ethics, by regulation, to warrant an enhanced penalty. (2) Consideration and Effect of Mitigating Factors and Aggravating Factors. (a) When considering the imposition of a penalty under this Section, the Board of Ethics in an administrative adjudication or court of competent jurisdiction shall make factual findings regarding mitigating factors and aggravating factors. (b) The one thousand dollar ($1,000) fine or civil penalty set forth in Section 20-1302 shall be reduced by five hundred dollars ($500) if one mitigating factor is present and shall decrease by seven hundred fifty dollars ($750) if more than one mitigating factor is present. (c) The one thousand dollar ($1,000) fine or civil penalty set forth in Section 20-1302 shall be increased by one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each aggravating factor that is present, provided that the total fine or civil penalty that may be imposed for one violation shall not exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000).