The Attorney General may commence a civil action in any appropriate district court of the United States against any person who—
(1) engages in a pattern or practice of violating this chapter; or
(2) engages in a violation of this chapter that raises an issue of significant public importance.
In a civil action commenced under subsection (a), the court may—
(1) grant any appropriate equitable or declaratory relief with respect to the violation of this chapter;
(2) award all other appropriate relief, including monetary damages, to any person aggrieved by the violation; and
(3) may, to vindicate the public interest, assess a civil penalty—
(A) in an amount not exceeding $55,000 for a first violation; and
(B) in an amount not exceeding $110,000 for any subsequent violation.
Upon timely application, a person aggrieved by a violation of this chapter with respect to which the civil action is commenced may intervene in such action, and may obtain such appropriate relief as the person could obtain in a civil action under section 4042 of this title with respect to that violation, along with costs and a reasonable attorney fee.
(Oct. 17, 1940, ch. 888, title VIII, §801, as added Pub. L. 111–275, title III, §303(a), Oct. 13, 2010, 124 Stat. 2877.)
Section was formerly classified to section 597 of the former Appendix to this title prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.