Sec. 2-156. Cease and desist orders; compliance; civil proceedings
Codified through Bill No. CB-018-2026, adopted May 12, 2026, effective July 24, 2026. Source: Municode, Supplement 2026 Update 2. Editorial notes and legislative history omitted.
Prince George's County, Md., Code § 2-156 (2026)
Sec. 2-156. Cease and desist orders; compliance; civil proceedingsLinkCopy Citation
(a)
If, at the conclusion of the hearing, the Director shall determine, upon the preponderance of testimony and evidence, that the person complained against has violated this Division, the Director shall state findings and issue an order requiring the person complained against to cease and desist from such unlawful conduct or practice, and to take such affirmative action, including but not limited to an order for restitution of money or property, as will effectuate the purposes of this Division. The Director shall mail copies of the order to the respondent and to all other parties of record by regular mail.
(b)
In addition, a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000) may be ordered by the Director upon a finding of a violation of this Division together with:
(1)
A pattern of consumer fraud as demonstrated by two (2) or more additional proven violations, all occurring within a single twelve (12) month period and all based on the same or similar consumer complaints; and
(2)
A pattern of defiance of orders of the Director for restitution and/or to cease and desist as demonstrated by two (2) or more outstanding orders where the respondent has failed to comply with said orders and all rights of appeal have been exhausted.
(c)
In determining the imposition and amount of any civil penalty, for a pattern of consumer frauds as in paragraph (b)(1), above, the Director shall consider the following:
(1)
The respondent's history of violations of this Division;
(2)
The nature and gravity of the violations;
(3)
The respondent's efforts at cooperation in resolving complaints;
(4)
The ratio of the number of violations to the volume of the respondent's business; and
(5)
The degree to which the respondent's failure to accept negotiated settlements on the consumer complaints resulting in findings of violations was based on good faith defenses to the charges.
(d)
The order shall contain a notice that if the Director determines that the person complained against has not, after thirty (30) calendar days following service of its order, corrected the unlawful conduct or practice and complied with the order, the Director will transmit the matter to the Office of Law for enforcement pursuant to this Division.
(e)
Any determination by the Director of violation of this Division shall constitute a conclusive finding. The County Attorney may institute, in the name of the County, a body politic, civil proceedings, including the seeking of such money judgments, restraining orders and temporary or permanent injunctions, as are necessary and proper to obtain complete compliance with the Director's order.