(a)  The superior courts of the state have jurisdiction to prevent and restrain violations of this chapter by issuing appropriate orders, including, but not limited to:

(1)  Ordering any person to divest himself, herself, or itself of any interest, direct or indirect, in any enterprise;

(2)  Imposing reasonable restrictions on the future activities or investments of any person, including, but not limited to, prohibiting any person from engaging in the same type of endeavor as the enterprise engaged in; or

(3)  Ordering dissolution or reorganization of any enterprise, making due provisions for the rights of innocent persons.

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Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 7-15-4

  • Civil forfeiture: The loss of ownership of property used to conduct illegal activity.
  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • person: may be construed to extend to and include co-partnerships and bodies corporate and politic. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-6

(b)  The attorney general may institute proceedings under this section. In any action brought by the state under this section, the court shall proceed as soon as practicable to the hearing and determination of the action. Pending final determination of the action, the court may at any time enter any restraining orders or prohibitions, or take any other actions, including the acceptance of satisfactory performance bonds, as it deems proper.

(c)  Any person injured in his, her, or its business or property by reason of a violation of this chapter may sue in any appropriate court and shall recover treble damages and the cost of the suit, including a reasonable attorney’s fee. In order for an injured person to recover pursuant to this subsection, it is not necessary to show that the defendant has been convicted of a criminal violation of this chapter.

(d)  A final judgment or decree rendered in favor of the state in any criminal proceeding brought by the state under this chapter shall estop the defendant from denying the essential allegations of the criminal offense in any subsequent civil proceeding brought by the state.

(e)  In addition to, or in lieu of, the criminal forfeiture procedure of this act, any property described in § 7-15-3 is subject to civil forfeiture pursuant to this section.

History of Section.
P.L. 1979, ch. 204, § 1; P.L. 1985, ch. 353, § 1.