What legal recourse is available if a broker engages in price fixing?

In situations where a broker engages in price fixing, the most appropriate legal recourse that can be taken is the revocation of their license. Price fixing is considered a significant violation of antitrust laws, as it disrupts fair competition by controlling prices rather than allowing market forces to dictate them. Regulatory bodies, like real estate commissions, have the authority to enforce compliance with these laws by revoking the licenses of brokers who violate them. This means that the broker would no longer be able to legally operate within the real estate market in Ohio, thereby upholding the integrity of the market.

The other potential actions, while they may have merit in different contexts, do not have the same immediate impact as license revocation in response to price fixing. Filing a civil lawsuit may seek damages but does not directly address the broker's ability to continue operating. Receiving a warning from the board could be too lenient given the seriousness of price fixing. Similarly, being assessed a fee might serve as a punishment but doesn't eliminate the threat such behavior poses to fair market competition. Thus, revocation serves as a necessary deterrent to maintain ethical standards in real estate practices.