Any individual claiming benefits in any proceeding before the department or the referee may be represented by counsel or other duly authorized agent; but no such counsel or agent shall either charge or receive for such services more than an amount approved by the department or referee, and such amount shall in no case exceed ten per cent of the total amount of benefits received as a result of such proceeding. Any person who violates this section shall, for each such offense, be fined no less than $325 nor more than $3,250, or imprisoned no more than six months, or both.