17-1773. Same; violations of act; civil penalty; disposition of penalties recovered. (a) The commission of any act or practice declared to be a violation of this act shall render the violator liable to the aggrieved contributor, or the state or a county as provided in subsection (c), for the payment of a civil penalty, in a sum set by the court of not more than $10,000 for each violation. An aggrieved contributor is not a required party in actions brought by the attorney general or a county or district attorney pursuant to this act.

(b) Any person who willfully violates the terms of any injunction or court order issued pursuant to this act shall forfeit and pay a civil penalty of not more than $20,000 per violation, in addition to other penalties that may be imposed by the court, as the court shall deem necessary and proper. For the purposes of this act, the district court issuing an injunction shall retain jurisdiction, and in such cases, the attorney general, acting in the name of the state or the appropriate county attorney or district attorney may petition for recovery of civil penalties.

(c) In administering and pursuing actions under this act, the attorney general and the county attorney or district attorney are authorized to sue for and collect reasonable expenses and investigation fees as determined by the court. Civil penalties or contempt penalties sued for and recovered by the attorney general shall be paid into the general fund of the state. Civil penalties and contempt penalties sued for and recovered by the county attorney or district attorney shall be paid into the general fund of the county where the proceedings were instigated.

History: L. 1988, ch. 96, § 15; L. 2001, ch. 105, § 3; July 1.