[§323C-53] Cease and desist orders; civil penalty. (a) A court shall issue and cause to be served upon a person, who has violated any provision of this chapter, a copy of the court's findings and an order requiring the person to cease and desist from violating this chapter, or to otherwise comply with the requirements of this chapter. The court may also order any one or more of the following:
(1) For any violation of this chapter, payment of a civil penalty of not more than $500 for each and every act or violation but not to exceed $5,000 in the aggregate for multiple violations;
(2) For a knowing violation of this chapter, payment of a civil penalty of not more than $25,000 for each and every act or violation but not to exceed $100,000 in the aggregate for multiple violations; and
(3) For violations of this chapter that have occurred with such frequency as to constitute a general business practice, a civil penalty of $100,000.
(b) Any person who violates a cease and desist order or injunction issued under this section may be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $10,000 for each and every act in violation of the cease and desist order.
(c) No order or injunction issued under this section shall in any way relieve or absolve any person affected by the order from any other liability, penalty, or forfeiture required by law.
(d) Any civil penalties collected under this section shall be deposited into the general fund. [L 1999, c 87, pt of §2]