32-3057. Cease and desist order; injunctive relief; civil penalty

A. In addition to all other remedies, if it appears to the board, either on complaint or otherwise, that any person has engaged in or is engaging in an act, practice or transaction which violates this chapter or any rule or order of the board, the board may either:

1. Serve on the person by certified mail or personal service a cease and desist order requiring the person to cease and desist immediately, on receipt of the notice, from engaging in the act, practice or transaction.

2. Apply, through the attorney general or through the county, city or town attorney of the county, city or town in which the act, practice or transaction is alleged to have been committed, to the superior court in that county for an injunction restraining the person from engaging in the act, practice or transaction, or doing anything in furtherance of the act, practice or transaction. On a proper showing, a temporary restraining order, a preliminary injunction or a permanent injunction shall be granted without a bond. Process in the action may be served on the defendant in any county in this state where the defendant transacts business or is found.

B. A person who has received a cease and desist order under subsection A, paragraph 1 of this section shall, upon request, be granted a hearing before the board within thirty days of the effective date of the order.

C. If the person fails to comply with the order, the board shall file an action, pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 2 of this section, in superior court to restrain and enjoin the person from engaging in the act, practice or transaction. The court in the action shall proceed as in other actions for injunction. If the court finds that the person wilfully failed to obey a valid cease and desist order, the court shall impose a civil penalty of not less than two hundred fifty dollars nor more than one thousand dollars per day per violation. Any amount collected as a civil penalty shall be deposited in the state general fund.

D. Each violation of this chapter or a rule or order of the board constitutes a separate offense and the court may impose a civil penalty not to exceed one thousand dollars for each violation. The board may impose an additional penalty in an amount not to exceed one thousand dollars for each day the civil penalty is not paid, beginning on the day after the penalty has been imposed. All monies derived from the imposition of civil penalties shall be transmitted to the state treasurer for deposit in the state general fund.