Any sums required to be reimbursed to the state under the provisions of § 40-8-10 and any benefits obtained by false statement or misrepresentation may be collected by civil action. All civil actions shall be instituted in the name of the director, and he or she shall be exempt from giving any surety for costs. In any action, the director may be represented by any qualified attorney whom he or she has designated and employed for this purpose, or, at the director’s request, by the attorney general.