South Carolina § 35-1-508 - Criminal penalties.

§ 35-1-508. Criminal penalties.

(a) A person that wilfully violates this chapter, or a rule adopted or order issued under this chapter, except Section 35-1-504 or the notice filing requirements of Section 35-1-302 or 35-1-405, or that wilfully violates Section 35-1-505 knowing that the statement made is false or misleading in a material respect, is guilty of a:

(1) felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than fifty thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both, if the person's actions result in loss to an investor of twenty thousand dollars or more;

(2) felony and, upon conviction, must be fined in the discretion of the court or imprisoned not more than five years, or both, if the person's actions result in loss to an investor of more than one thousand dollars but less than twenty thousand dollars;

(3) misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than thirty thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than three years, or both, if the person's actions result in loss to an investor of one thousand dollars or less, or if no losses are proven. An individual convicted of violating a rule or order under this chapter may be fined, but may not be imprisoned, if the individual did not have knowledge of the rule or order.

(b) The Securities Commissioner may refer that evidence as is available concerning violations of this chapter or of any rule or order under this chapter to the appropriate Division of the Attorney General's Office or other appropriate prosecution, law enforcement, or licensing authorities who may institute the appropriate proceedings under this chapter.

(c) This chapter does not limit the power of this State to punish a person for conduct that constitutes a crime under other laws of this State.

HISTORY: 2005 Act No. 110, SECTION 1, eff January 1, 2006.