2019 US Virgin Islands Code
Title 18 - Elections
Chapter 29 - Disclosure and Limitations on Campaign Contributions
§ 910. Enforcement

(a) Any person who believes a violation of this chapter has occurred may file a complaint with the Supervisor. The complaint shall be in writing, shall be signed and sworn to by the person filing the complaint, and shall be notarized. The Supervisor shall not conduct any investigation solely on the basis of a complaint of a person whose identity is not disclosed to the Supervisor.

(b) Upon receipt of a complaint filed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, or whenever the Supervisor has reason to believe a violation of this chapter has occurred or is about to occur, the Supervisor shall conduct an investigation. The investigation shall be conducted expeditiously with prompt notice to any person who is the subject of a complaint. The Supervisor shall afford any person who is the subject of a complaint a reasonable opportunity to demonstrate that no action should be taken against such person by the Supervisor.

(c) If the Supervisor determines that there is reasonable cause to believe that a person has committed or is about to commit a violation of this chapter, the Supervisor may endeavor to bring about voluntary compliance by informal methods of conference, conciliation, and persuasion. If the Supervisor is unable to correct or prevent any such violation by informal methods, the Supervisor may institute a civil action for relief, including a permanent or temporary injunction, restraining order, or other appropriate order, including a civil penalty which does not exceed the greater of $5,000 or an amount equal to twice the amount of any contributions or expenditures involved in such violation, in a court of competent jurisdiction.

(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent any person aggrieved by another's violation of this chapter from instituting civil proceedings in any court of competent jurisdiction.

(e) The showing that any alleged violation of this chapter is in compliance with any advisory opinion rendered by the Supervisor is a complete defense against an action alleging such violation.

(f) Nothing in this section shall be construed to preclude a civil action for libel or slander by a candidate against any person who files an unsubstantiated or frivolous complaint solely for the purpose of embarrassing the candidate or adversely affecting his campaign.

(g) The Attorney General of the United States Virgin Islands shall assist the Supervisor in enforcing the provisions of this chapter.