What worries me the most is the fact that AMT refers to receiving one of their miners as punishment

If he gets his refund, he wins. He gets to spend that money on another miner or whatever he wants after that. IMO not as big a win as getting the hardware. But that's my just me.
Why would you want their miner, when you could go out NOW and buy up more hashing power for less money?
Yes, that IS just you.