The district courts of the United States shall have jurisdiction specifically to enforce, and to prevent and restrain a person from violating, this chapter or any plan or regulation issued under this chapter.
A civil action to be brought under this section shall be referred to the Attorney General for appropriate action, except that the Secretary is not required to refer to the Attorney General a violation of this chapter or any plan or regulation issued under this chapter if the Secretary believes that the administration and enforcement of this chapter would be adequately served by administrative action under subsection (c) or by providing a suitable written notice or warning to any person committing the violation.
A person who willfully violates any provision of this chapter or any plan or regulation issued under this chapter, or who fails to pay, collect, or remit any assessment or fee required of the person under this chapter or any plan or regulation issued under this chapter, may be assessed by the Secretary a civil penalty of not less than $1,000 nor more than $10,000 for each such violation.
A finding of the Secretary shall be set aside only if the finding is found to be unsupported by substantial evidence.
Any person who fails to obey a cease and desist order after the order has become final and unappealable, or after the appropriate district court has entered a final judgment in favor of the Secretary, shall be subject to a civil penalty assessed by the Secretary, after opportunity for a hearing on the record and for judicial review under the procedures specified in subsections (c) and (d), of not more than $1,000 for each offense. Each day during which the failure continues shall be considered a separate violation of such order.
If a person fails to pay a civil penalty after it has become a final and unappealable order issued by the Secretary, or after the appropriate district court has entered a final judgment in favor of the Secretary, the Secretary shall refer the matter to the Attorney General for recovery of the amount assessed in the district court of the United States in any district in which the person resides or conducts business. In such action, the validity and appropriateness of such order imposing such civil penalty shall not be subject to review.