(a) A person that wilfully violates this chapter, or a rule adopted or order issued under this chapter, except § 35-1-504 or the notice filing requirements of § 35-1-302 or 35-1-405, or that wilfully violates § 35-1-505 knowing that the statement made is false or misleading in a material respect, is guilty of a:

(1) felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than fifty thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both, if the person’s actions result in loss to an investor of twenty thousand dollars or more;

Terms Used In South Carolina Code 35-1-508

  • Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Filing: means the receipt under this chapter of a record by the Securities Commissioner or a designee of the Securities Commissioner. See South Carolina Code 35-1-102
  • Person: means an individual; corporation; business trust; estate; trust; partnership; limited liability company; association; joint venture; government; governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality; public corporation; or any other legal or commercial entity. See South Carolina Code 35-1-102
  • Securities Commissioner: means the Attorney General. See South Carolina Code 35-1-102
  • State: means a State of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. See South Carolina Code 35-1-102

(2) felony and, upon conviction, must be fined in the discretion of the court or imprisoned not more than five years, or both, if the person’s actions result in loss to an investor of more than one thousand dollars but less than twenty thousand dollars;

(3) misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than thirty thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than three years, or both, if the person’s actions result in loss to an investor of one thousand dollars or less, or if no losses are proven. An individual convicted of violating a rule or order under this chapter may be fined, but may not be imprisoned, if the individual did not have knowledge of the rule or order.

(b) The Securities Commissioner may refer that evidence as is available concerning violations of this chapter or of any rule or order under this chapter to the appropriate Division of the Attorney General’s Office or other appropriate prosecution, law enforcement, or licensing authorities who may institute the appropriate proceedings under this chapter.

(c) This chapter does not limit the power of this State to punish a person for conduct that constitutes a crime under other laws of this State.