The attorney general is authorized to institute civil proceedings in the superior court to enjoin the operation of any business other than a corporation, including a partnership, limited partnership, unincorporated association, joint venture, or sole proprietorship, when:

(1)  Any person in control of the business, who may be a partner in a partnership, a participant in a joint venture, the owner of a sole proprietorship, an employee or agent of the business, or a person who, in fact, exercises control over the operations of the business, has, in conducting its business affairs, purposely engaged in a persistent course of gambling, unlawful traffic in narcotics, extortion, embezzlement, intimidation, bribery, prostitution, crimes against nature, or other illegal conduct with the intent to compel or induce other persons, firms, or corporations to deal with the business or engage in any illegal conduct; and

(2)  That for the prevention of future illegal conduct of the same character, the public interest requires the operation of the business to be enjoined.