(a)      If any respondent refuses to comply with an order of the Commission made within the scope of any of these subtitles, the Commission may, represented by its general counsel, institute litigation in the appropriate equity court of the county or in Baltimore City where the alleged discrimination took place to enforce compliance with any of the provisions of this article.

      The court, in hearing said case, shall be governed by the judicial review standards as set forth in the Administrative Procedure Act, Title 10, Subtitle 2 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.

      (b)      (1)      Any person (including one acting for or on behalf of a firm, association, or corporation) is guilty of a misdemeanor if:

                  (i)      He has claimed to be aggrieved under the provisions of this subtitle;

                  (ii)      He has pursued the complaint under this section and § 11 of this subtitle, or either of these sections;

                  (iii)      The Commission has found the complaint to be unfounded or has dismissed it without further action against the respondent; and

                  (iv)      The court has found the complaint to have been made maliciously; and upon conviction thereof in the appropriate criminal court, he is subject to a fine of not more than five hundred dollars, or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year, or to both such fine and imprisonment in the discretion of the court.

            (2)      This subsection shall not be construed or applied to deny the right of a respondent to bring any civil action against one who has filed a complaint under this subtitle.