§6C-1-6. Civil penalty; suspension from public service.
A person who, as an employer or under color of an employer's authority, violates this article is liable for a civil fine of not more than five hundred dollars. Additionally, except where the person holds a public office by election or appointment, if the court specifically finds that the person, while in the employment of the state or a political subdivision, committed a violation of section three of this article with the intent to discourage the disclosure of information, the court may order the person's suspension from public service for not more than six months. A civil fine which is collected under this section shall be paid to the state treasurer for deposit into the general fund.