29 U.S.C. § 440 — Civil action for enforcement by Secretary; jurisdiction

This section lets the government go to court to enforce the labor-reporting rules in this subchapter. Whenever it appears that someone has violated, or is about to violate, any provision of this subchapter, the Secretary may bring a civil action. That lawsuit can seek whatever relief is appropriate, including an injunction — a court order stopping the violation. The Secretary has a choice of where to file. The lawsuit may be brought in the federal district court for the district where the violation occurred. Alternatively, if the parties agree, it may be brought in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. This gives the Secretary a direct way to stop violations in court, rather than relying only on the criminal penalties found elsewhere in this subchapter.