A broker was found guilty of commingling. What action may the Real Estate Commission take?

The Real Estate Commission has the authority to impose disciplinary actions against licensees who violate real estate laws, including the serious offense of commingling. Commingling refers to mixing a client’s funds with the broker's personal funds, which is strictly prohibited in real estate transactions to ensure proper management and protection of client money.

If a broker is found guilty of commingling, the commission can impose a fine as a disciplinary measure. The specific limit for this type of fine is defined by Georgia law, and for commingling violations, the fine may not exceed $1,000. This aligns with the commission's intent to maintain high standards of practice while discouraging such improper conduct through financial penalties.

Other potential disciplinary actions, such as imprisonment, are not applicable to the offense of commingling in this context, as they pertain more to criminal misconduct or more severe violations under Georgia law. Instead, financial penalties reflect the regulatory focus on licensee accountability and consumer protection within the real estate profession.