Virginia Code 55.1-1015.1: Civil penalties; attorney fees
A. In addition to the penalties and liabilities set forth in §§ 55.1-1009.1 and 55.1-1015, in any action brought under this chapter, if a court finds that a person has willfully engaged in an act or practice in violation of this chapter, the Attorney General may recover for the Literary Fund, upon petition to the court, a civil penalty of not more than $5,000 per violation. For purposes of this section, prima facie evidence of a willful violation may be shown when the Attorney General notifies the alleged violator by certified mail that an act or practice is a violation of this chapter and the alleged violator, after receipt of the notice, continues to engage in the act or practice.
Terms Used In Virginia Code 55.1-1015.1
- Commission: means the State Corporation Commission. See Virginia Code 55.1-1000
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Liabilities: The aggregate of all debts and other legal obligations of a particular person or legal entity.
- Licensing authority: means the (i) Commission acting pursuant to this chapter, Virginia Code 55.1-1000
- Person: includes any individual, corporation, partnership, association, cooperative, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, government, political subdivision, or any other legal or commercial entity and any successor, representative, agent, agency, or instrumentality thereof. See Virginia Code 1-230
B. The Attorney General recovering a civil penalty under subsection A, or the appropriate licensing authority or the Commission instituting an enforcement action under § 55.1-1015, may recover costs and reasonable expenses incurred by it in investigating and preparing the case and attorney fees.
2020, c. 700.