31 U.S.C. § 333 — Prohibition of misuse of Department of the Treasury names, symbols, etc.

(a) General Rule
No one may use certain Treasury-related words, titles, abbreviations, symbols, or emblems — alone or with other words — as part of an ad, solicitation, business activity, or product. The banned items are: (1) the words "Department of the Treasury," or the name of any Treasury service, bureau, office, or subdivision; (2) the titles "Secretary of the Treasury" or "Treasurer of the United States," or the title of any other Treasury officer or employee; (3) abbreviations or initials for any of those; (4) the words "United States Savings Bond," or the name of any other Treasury-issued obligation; (5) any symbol or emblem of a Treasury entity — including the design of its envelopes or stationery; and (6) any colorable imitation of these words, titles, abbreviations, initials, symbols, or emblems. This ban applies only when using these things could reasonably be interpreted as falsely conveying that the ad, solicitation, business activity, or product is approved, endorsed, sponsored, authorized by, or associated with the Department of the Treasury, one of its subdivisions, or one of its officers or employees.

(b) Treatment of Disclaimers
When deciding whether someone violated subsection (a), it doesn't matter whether they used a disclaimer saying they're not affiliated with the United States Government or a particular agency or instrumentality. The disclaimer doesn't excuse the violation.

(c) Civil Penalty
(1) The Secretary of the Treasury may impose a civil penalty on anyone who violates subsection (a).
(2) The penalty can't exceed $5,000 for each use of material that violates subsection (a) — or $25,000 if the use was in a broadcast or telecast.
(3)(A) The Secretary must assess any civil penalty within the 3-year period beginning on the date of the violation.
(B) The Secretary must begin a civil action to recover any assessed penalty within the 2-year period beginning on the date the penalty was assessed.
(4) No penalty may be assessed under this subsection for a violation after a criminal proceeding for that violation has already begun under subsection (d).

(d) Criminal Penalty
(1) Anyone who knowingly violates subsection (a) can, upon conviction, be fined up to $10,000 for each such use — or up to $50,000 if the use was in a broadcast or telecast — or imprisoned up to 1 year, or both.
(2) No one may be prosecuted, tried, or punished under this subsection for a violation of subsection (a) unless the indictment is found, or the information instituted, within the 3-year period beginning on the date of the violation.
(3) No criminal proceeding may be commenced under this subsection for a violation if a civil penalty has already been assessed under subsection (c) for that violation.