1. A seller who willfully violates the requirements for disclosure or for the contents of a business opportunity contract pursuant to section 551A.3, who provides misleading advertising as provided in section 551A.9, who willfully violates a rule under this chapter, or who willfully violates an order of which the person has notice, upon conviction, is guilty of a class “D” felony. Otherwise, a person who violates a rule adopted or order issued under this chapter is, upon conviction, guilty of an aggravated misdemeanor. Each of the acts specified constitutes a separate offense and a prosecution or conviction for any one of such offenses does not bar prosecution or conviction for any other offense.

Attorney's Note

Under the Iowa Code, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:
ClassPrisonFine
Class D felonyup to 5 yearsbetween $1,025 and $10,245
Aggravated misdemeanorup to 2 yearsbetween $855 and $8,540
For details, see Iowa Code902.9 and Iowa Code§ 903.1

Terms Used In Iowa Code 551A.10

  • Advertisement: means the attempt by dissemination, solicitation, or circulation to directly or indirectly induce any person to enter into any obligation or acquire any title or interest in land offered for sale or lease to the public in this state. See Iowa Code 543C.1
  • Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
  • Lease: A contract transferring the use of property or occupancy of land, space, structures, or equipment in consideration of a payment (e.g., rent). Source: OCC
  • person: means individual, corporation, limited liability company, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership or association, or any other legal entity. See Iowa Code 4.1
  • Rule: includes "regulation". See Iowa Code 4.1
  • Sale: means any sale, offer for sale, or attempt to sell or lease any land, to the public in this state, for cash or on credit. See Iowa Code 543C.1
 2. A violation of this chapter is an unlawful practice pursuant to section 714.16.
 3. A seller who willfully uses any device or scheme to defraud a person in connection with an advertisement, offer to sell or lease, sale, or lease of a business opportunity, or who willfully violates any other provision of this chapter, except as provided in subsection 1, is, upon conviction, guilty of a fraudulent practice as provided in chapter 714.