The Washington Post reports.

[Maryland AG] Gansler said in an interview that he chose to pursue a civil action rather than a criminal case partly because election-law violations rarely result in jail time.

He said a hefty fine – the complaint seeks damages of more than $168 million, plus attorneys’ fees – would send a strong message.

“The conduct that occurred here was an attempt to suppress voter turnout,” Gansler said. “We want the people responsible to be held accountable. This kind of conduct is inappropriate.”