Washington Code 21.20.390 – Injunction, cease and desist order, restraining order, mandamus — Appointment of receiver or conservator for insolvent — Restitution or damages — Costs — Accounting
Current as of: 2023 | Check for updates
|
Other versions
Whenever it appears to the director that any person has engaged or is about to engage in any act or practice constituting a violation of any provision of this chapter or any rule or order hereunder, the director may in his or her discretion:
Terms Used In Washington Code 21.20.390
- Assets: (1) The property comprising the estate of a deceased person, or (2) the property in a trust account.
- 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.
- Director: means the director of financial institutions of this state. See Washington Code 21.20.005
- Injunction: An order of the court prohibiting (or compelling) the performance of a specific act to prevent irreparable damage or injury.
- 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: means an individual, a corporation, a partnership, a limited liability company, a limited liability partnership, an association, a joint-stock company, a trust where the interest of the beneficiaries are evidenced by a security, an unincorporated organization, a government, or a political subdivision of a government. See Washington Code 21.20.005
- Restitution: The court-ordered payment of money by the defendant to the victim for damages caused by the criminal action.
- sell: includes every contract of sale of, contract to sell, or disposition of, a security or interest in a security for value. See Washington Code 21.20.005
- Writ: A formal written command, issued from the court, requiring the performance of a specific act.
(1) Issue an order directing the person to cease and desist from continuing the act or practice and to take appropriate affirmative action within a reasonable period of time, as prescribed by the director, to correct conditions resulting from the act or practice including, without limitation, a requirement to provide restitution. Reasonable notice of and opportunity for a hearing shall be given. The director may issue a summary order pending the hearing which shall remain in effect until ten days after the hearing is held and which shall become final if the person to whom notice is addressed does not request a hearing within twenty days after the receipt of notice; or
(2) The director may without issuing a cease and desist order, bring an action in any court of competent jurisdiction to enjoin any such acts or practices and to enforce compliance with this chapter or any rule or order adopted under this chapter. The court may grant such ancillary relief, including a civil penalty, restitution, and disgorgement, as it deems appropriate. Upon a proper showing a permanent or temporary injunction, restraining order, or writ of mandamus shall be granted and a receiver or conservator may be appointed for the defendant or the defendant’s assets. The director may not be required to post a bond. If the director prevails, the director shall be entitled to a reasonable attorney’s fee to be fixed by the court.
(3) Whenever it appears to the director that any person who has received a permit to issue, sell, or otherwise dispose of securities under this chapter, whether current or otherwise, has become insolvent, the director may petition a court of competent jurisdiction to appoint a receiver or conservator for the defendant or the defendant’s assets. The director may not be required to post a bond.
(4) The director may bring an action for restitution or damages on behalf of the persons injured by a violation of this chapter, if the court finds that private civil action would be so burdensome or expensive as to be impractical.
(5) In any action under this section, the director may charge the costs, fees, and other expenses incurred by the director in the conduct of any administrative investigation, hearing, or court proceeding against any person found to be in violation of any provision of this section or any rule or order adopted under this section.
(6) In any action under subsection (1) of this section, the director may enter an order requiring an accounting, restitution, and disgorgement, including interest at the legal rate under RCW 4.56.110. The director may by rule or order provide for payments to investors, interest rates, periods of accrual, and other matters the director deems appropriate to implement this subsection.
[ 2016 c 61 § 12; 2003 c 288 § 5; 1995 c 46 § 7; 1994 c 256 § 23; 1981 c 272 § 8; 1979 ex.s. c 68 § 27; 1975 1st ex.s. c 84 § 23; 1974 ex.s. c 77 § 10; 1959 c 282 § 39.]
NOTES:
Findings—Construction—1994 c 256: See RCW 43.320.007.
Effective date—1974 ex.s. c 77: See note following RCW 21.20.040.