{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/57-59.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/57-59.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/57-59.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/57-59.html"}],"law_id":87099,"edition_id":1,"section_id":87099,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-59","catch_line":"Enforcement of chapter; seizure of property connected with terrorism; penalties","history":"1974, c. 574; 1979, c. 595; 1983, c. 374; 1987, c. 561; 1990, c. 711; 1991, c. 710; 1999, c. 81; 2000, c. 755; 2003, cc. 576, 977, 1009.","full_text":"A\n\nAny person who willfully and knowingly violates or causes to be violated any provision of this chapter, or who willfully and knowingly gives false or incorrect information to the Commissioner in filing statements or reports required by this chapter, whether such report or statement is verified or not, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished for the first offense by a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 or by confinement in jail for not more than six months, or both, and for the second and any subsequent offense by a fine of not less than $500 and not more than $2,500 or by confinement in jail for not more than one year, or both.\n\t\t\tThe following property shall be subject to lawful seizure by any law-enforcement officer charged with enforcing the provisions of this chapter: all moneys or other property, real or personal, together with any interest or profits derived from the investment of such money and used in substantial connection with an act of terrorism as defined in § 18.2-46.4. All seizures and forfeitures under this section shall be governed by the procedures contained in Chapter 22.1 (§ 19.2-386.1 et seq.) of Title 19.2.B\n\nWhenever the Commissioner has reasonable cause to believe that a violation of this chapter may have occurred, the Commissioner, upon his own motion or upon complaint of any person, may investigate any charitable or civic organization, commercial co-venturer, professional fund-raising counsel or professional solicitor to determine whether such charitable or civic organization, commercial co-venturer, professional fund-raising counsel or professional solicitor has violated the provisions of this chapter. In the conduct of such investigation, the Commissioner may:1\n\nRequire or permit any person to file a statement in writing, under oath or otherwise as the Commissioner determines, as to all facts and circumstances concerning the matter to be investigated.2\n\nAdminister oaths or affirmations and, upon his motion or upon request of any party, subpoena witnesses, compel their attendance, take evidence, and require the production of any matter which is relevant to the investigation, including the existence, description, nature, custody, condition, and location of any books, documents, or other tangibles and the identity and location of persons having knowledge of relevant facts or any other matter reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of material evidence.\n\t\t\t\tAny proceedings or hearings by the Commissioner under this chapter, where witnesses are subpoenaed and their attendance is required for evidence to be taken or any matter is to be produced to ascertain material evidence, shall take place within the City of Richmond.\n\t\t\t\tUpon failure to obey a subpoena and upon reasonable notice to all persons affected thereby, the Commissioner may apply to the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond for an order imposing punishment for contempt of the subpoena or compelling compliance.C\n\nWhenever the Attorney General has reasonable cause to believe that any person has operated, is operating or is about to operate in violation of the provisions of this chapter, the Attorney General may issue a civil investigative demand. The provisions of § 59.1-9.10 shall apply mutatis mutandis to civil investigative demands issued pursuant to this subsection.D\n\nWhenever the Attorney General, or any attorney for the Commonwealth or the attorney for any city, county or town has reason to believe that any charitable or civic organization, commercial co-venturer, professional fund-raising counsel or professional solicitor has operated, is operating or is about to operate in violation of the provisions of this chapter, the Attorney General, attorney for the Commonwealth or the attorney for any city, county or town, in addition to all other actions authorized by law, may bring an action in the name of the Commonwealth against such charitable or civic organization, commercial co-venturer, professional fund-raising counsel or professional solicitor, or their officers, directors, or other agents to enjoin the continuation of such violation, solicitation or collection, or the engaging therein, or the conducting of any acts in furtherance thereof and for such other relief as the court deems appropriate.E\n\nIn any action brought under subsection D, the court may also award to the Commonwealth a civil penalty of not more than $5,000 per violation, to be paid to the Literary Fund, reasonable expenses incurred by the state or local agency in investigating and preparing the case, not to exceed $250 per violation, and attorney’s fees. Such expenses and attorney’s fees shall be paid into the general fund of the Commonwealth or of the county, city, or town which such attorney represented.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":311874,"text":"Any person who willfully and knowingly violates or causes to be violated any provision of this chapter, or who willfully and knowingly gives false or incorrect information to the Commissioner in filing statements or reports required by this chapter, whether such report or statement is verified or not, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished for the first offense by a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 or by confinement in jail for not more than six months, or both, and for the second and any subsequent offense by a fine of not less than $500 and not more than $2,500 or by confinement in jail for not more than one year, or both.\n\t\t\tThe following property shall be subject to lawful seizure by any law-enforcement officer charged with enforcing the provisions of this chapter: all moneys or other property, real or personal, together with any interest or profits derived from the investment of such money and used in substantial connection with an act of terrorism as defined in § 18.2-46.4. All seizures and forfeitures under this section shall be governed by the procedures contained in Chapter 22.1 (§ 19.2-386.1 et seq.) of Title 19.2.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":311875,"text":"Whenever the Commissioner has reasonable cause to believe that a violation of this chapter may have occurred, the Commissioner, upon his own motion or upon complaint of any person, may investigate any charitable or civic organization, commercial co-venturer, professional fund-raising counsel or professional solicitor to determine whether such charitable or civic organization, commercial co-venturer, professional fund-raising counsel or professional solicitor has violated the provisions of this chapter. In the conduct of such investigation, the Commissioner may:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B1"},"2":{"id":311876,"text":"Require or permit any person to file a statement in writing, under oath or otherwise as the Commissioner determines, as to all facts and circumstances concerning the matter to be investigated.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"3":{"id":311877,"text":"Administer oaths or affirmations and, upon his motion or upon request of any party, subpoena witnesses, compel their attendance, take evidence, and require the production of any matter which is relevant to the investigation, including the existence, description, nature, custody, condition, and location of any books, documents, or other tangibles and the identity and location of persons having knowledge of relevant facts or any other matter reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of material evidence.\n\t\t\t\tAny proceedings or hearings by the Commissioner under this chapter, where witnesses are subpoenaed and their attendance is required for evidence to be taken or any matter is to be produced to ascertain material evidence, shall take place within the City of Richmond.\n\t\t\t\tUpon failure to obey a subpoena and upon reasonable notice to all persons affected thereby, the Commissioner may apply to the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond for an order imposing punishment for contempt of the subpoena or compelling compliance.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"C"},"4":{"id":311878,"text":"Whenever the Attorney General has reasonable cause to believe that any person has operated, is operating or is about to operate in violation of the provisions of this chapter, the Attorney General may issue a civil investigative demand. The provisions of § 59.1-9.10 shall apply mutatis mutandis to civil investigative demands issued pursuant to this subsection.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"D"},"5":{"id":311879,"text":"Whenever the Attorney General, or any attorney for the Commonwealth or the attorney for any city, county or town has reason to believe that any charitable or civic organization, commercial co-venturer, professional fund-raising counsel or professional solicitor has operated, is operating or is about to operate in violation of the provisions of this chapter, the Attorney General, attorney for the Commonwealth or the attorney for any city, county or town, in addition to all other actions authorized by law, may bring an action in the name of the Commonwealth against such charitable or civic organization, commercial co-venturer, professional fund-raising counsel or professional solicitor, or their officers, directors, or other agents to enjoin the continuation of such violation, solicitation or collection, or the engaging therein, or the conducting of any acts in furtherance thereof and for such other relief as the court deems appropriate.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"6":{"id":311880,"text":"In any action brought under subsection D, the court may also award to the Commonwealth a civil penalty of not more than $5,000 per violation, to be paid to the Literary Fund, reasonable expenses incurred by the state or local agency in investigating and preparing the case, not to exceed $250 per violation, and attorney’s fees. Such expenses and attorney’s fees shall be paid into the general fund of the Commonwealth or of the county, city, or town which such attorney represented.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13962,"edition_id":1,"name":"Solicitation of Contributions","identifier":"5","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13324,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:26","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:26","permalink":{"id":251837,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13962,"identifier":"5","token":"57\/5","url":"\/57\/5\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13324,"edition_id":1,"name":"Religious and Charitable Matters; Cemeteries","identifier":"57","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:39","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:39","permalink":{"id":251501,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13324,"identifier":"57","token":"57","url":"\/57\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":78101,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-48","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/57-48\/","token":"57\/5\/57-48","metadata":false},{"id":86486,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-49","catch_line":"Registration of charitable organizations; prohibition against support of terrorists","url":"\/57-49\/","token":"57\/5\/57-49","metadata":false},{"id":65471,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-50","catch_line":"Reciprocal agreements with other states; online filing","url":"\/57-50\/","token":"57\/5\/57-50","metadata":false},{"id":83732,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-51","catch_line":"Nonresident registration","url":"\/57-51\/","token":"57\/5\/57-51","metadata":false},{"id":65077,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-52","catch_line":"Publication of warnings concerning certain charitable and civic organizations","url":"\/57-52\/","token":"57\/5\/57-52","metadata":false},{"id":64262,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-52.1","catch_line":"Publication of warnings concerning solicitation by professional solicitors","url":"\/57-52.1\/","token":"57\/5\/57-52.1","metadata":false},{"id":58234,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-53","catch_line":"Records to be kept by charitable organizations","url":"\/57-53\/","token":"57\/5\/57-53","metadata":false},{"id":71322,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-54","catch_line":"Contracts between charitable or civic organizations and professional fund-raising counsel or professional solicitors","url":"\/57-54\/","token":"57\/5\/57-54","metadata":false},{"id":81155,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-55","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/57-55\/","token":"57\/5\/57-55","metadata":false},{"id":73486,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-55.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/57-55.1\/","token":"57\/5\/57-55.1","metadata":false},{"id":62382,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-55.2","catch_line":"Charitable solicitation disclosure","url":"\/57-55.2\/","token":"57\/5\/57-55.2","metadata":false},{"id":57634,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-55.2:1","catch_line":"Solicitations by for-profit organizations","url":"\/57-55.2_1\/","token":"57\/5\/57-55.2_1","metadata":false},{"id":87184,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-55.3","catch_line":"Disclosure regarding financial statement required","url":"\/57-55.3\/","token":"57\/5\/57-55.3","metadata":false},{"id":70988,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-55.4","catch_line":"Collection receptacles; required disclosures","url":"\/57-55.4\/","token":"57\/5\/57-55.4","metadata":false},{"id":71585,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-56","catch_line":"Information filed to become public records","url":"\/57-56\/","token":"57\/5\/57-56","metadata":false},{"id":61492,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-57","catch_line":"Prohibited acts","url":"\/57-57\/","token":"57\/5\/57-57","metadata":false},{"id":83525,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-58","catch_line":"Ratio of fund-raising expenses to contributions to be included in registration statement","url":"\/57-58\/","token":"57\/5\/57-58","metadata":false},{"id":87099,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-59","catch_line":"Enforcement of chapter; seizure of property connected with terrorism; penalties","url":"\/57-59\/","token":"57\/5\/57-59","metadata":false},{"id":57956,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-60","catch_line":"Exemptions","url":"\/57-60\/","token":"57\/5\/57-60","metadata":false},{"id":87040,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-61","catch_line":"Registration of professional fund-raising counsels and solicitors","url":"\/57-61\/","token":"57\/5\/57-61","metadata":false},{"id":82886,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-61.1","catch_line":"Time and effect of registration","url":"\/57-61.1\/","token":"57\/5\/57-61.1","metadata":false},{"id":77549,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-61.2","catch_line":"Commercial co-ventures","url":"\/57-61.2\/","token":"57\/5\/57-61.2","metadata":false},{"id":84845,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-62","catch_line":"Liability imposed by other laws not decreased","url":"\/57-62\/","token":"57\/5\/57-62","metadata":false},{"id":58452,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-63","catch_line":"Local ordinances","url":"\/57-63\/","token":"57\/5\/57-63","metadata":false},{"id":87043,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-64","catch_line":"Out-of-state enforcement proceedings","url":"\/57-64\/","token":"57\/5\/57-64","metadata":false},{"id":57627,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-65","catch_line":"Fees and charges","url":"\/57-65\/","token":"57\/5\/57-65","metadata":false},{"id":68709,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-66","catch_line":"Rules and regulations; model ordinance","url":"\/57-66\/","token":"57\/5\/57-66","metadata":false},{"id":55022,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-67","catch_line":"Application to court for relief","url":"\/57-67\/","token":"57\/5\/57-67","metadata":false},{"id":59430,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-68","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/57-68\/","token":"57\/5\/57-68","metadata":false},{"id":85676,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-69","catch_line":"Effective date","url":"\/57-69\/","token":"57\/5\/57-69","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":83525,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-58","catch_line":"Ratio of fund-raising expenses to contributions to be included in registration statement","url":"\/57-58\/","token":"57\/5\/57-58","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":57956,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-60","catch_line":"Exemptions","url":"\/57-60\/","token":"57\/5\/57-60","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/57-59\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1974. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 574 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1974 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 8 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1979, chapter 595; in 1983, chapter 374; in 1987, chapter 561; in 1990, chapter 711; in 1991, chapter 710; in 1999, chapter 81<\/a>; in 2000, chapter 755<\/a>; in 2003, chapters 576<\/a>, 977<\/a>, and 1009<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":86548,"section_number":"2.2-3808","catch_line":"Collection, disclosure, or display of social security number; personal identifying information of donors; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-3808\/"},{"id":70988,"section_number":"57-55.4","catch_line":"Collection receptacles; required disclosures","order_by":null,"url":"\/57-55.4\/"},{"id":57956,"section_number":"57-60","catch_line":"Exemptions","order_by":null,"url":"\/57-60\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":65851,"section_number":"18.2-46.4","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-46.4\/"},{"id":68052,"section_number":"19.2-386.1","catch_line":"Commencing an action of forfeiture","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-386.1\/"},{"id":84942,"section_number":"59.1-9.10","catch_line":"Investigation by Attorney General of suspected violations; civil investigative demand to witnesses; access to business records, etc","order_by":null,"url":"\/59.1-9.10\/"}],"permalink":{"id":251907,"object_type":"law","relational_id":87099,"identifier":"57-59","token":"57\/5\/57-59","url":"\/57-59\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/57-59\/","token":"57\/5\/57-59","dublin_core":{"Title":"Enforcement of chapter; seizure of property connected with terrorism; penalties","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 57-59","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Any person<\/span> who willfully and knowingly violates or causes to be violated any provision of this chapter, or who willfully and knowingly gives false or incorrect information to the Commissioner<\/span> in filing statements or reports required by this chapter, whether such report or statement is verified or not, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor<\/span> and, upon conviction<\/span> thereof, shall be punished for the first offense<\/span> by a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 or by confinement in jail for not more than six months, or both, and for the second and any subsequent offense<\/span> by a fine of not less than $500 and not more than $2,500 or by confinement in jail for not more than one year, or both.\n\t\t\tThe following property shall be subject to lawful seizure by any law<\/span>-enforcement officer charged with enforcing the provisions of this chapter: all moneys or other property, real or personal, together with any interest or profits derived from the investment of such money and used in substantial connection with an act of terrorism as defined in § 18.2-46.4<\/a>. All seizures and forfeitures under this section shall be governed by the procedures contained in Chapter 22.1 (§ 19.2-386.1<\/a> et seq.) of Title 19.2. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Whenever the Commissioner<\/span> has reasonable cause to believe that a violation of this chapter may have occurred, the Commissioner<\/span>, upon his own motion<\/span> or upon complaint of any person<\/span>, may investigate any charitable or civic organization<\/span>, commercial co-venturer<\/span>, professional fund-raising counsel<\/span> or professional solicitor<\/span> to determine whether such charitable or civic organization<\/span>, commercial co-venturer<\/span>, professional fund-raising counsel<\/span> or professional solicitor<\/span> has violated the provisions of this chapter. In the conduct of such investigation, the Commissioner<\/span> may: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Require or permit any person<\/span> to file a statement in writing, under oath<\/span> or otherwise as the Commissioner<\/span> determines, as to all facts<\/span> and circumstances concerning the matter to be investigated. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Administer oaths<\/span> or affirmations and, upon his motion<\/span> or upon request of any party<\/span>, subpoena<\/span> witnesses, compel their attendance, take evidence<\/span>, and require the production of any matter which is relevant to the investigation, including the existence, description, nature, custody<\/span>, condition, and location of any books, documents, or other tangibles and the identity and location of persons<\/span> having knowledge of relevant facts<\/span> or any other matter reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery<\/span> of material<\/span> evidence<\/span>.\n\t\t\t\tAny proceedings or hearings<\/span> by the Commissioner<\/span> under this chapter, where witnesses are subpoenaed and their attendance is required for evidence<\/span> to be taken or any matter is to be produced to ascertain material<\/span> evidence<\/span>, shall take place within the City of Richmond.\n\t\t\t\tUpon failure to obey a subpoena<\/span> and upon reasonable notice to all persons<\/span> affected thereby, the Commissioner<\/span> may apply to the Circuit<\/span> Court<\/span> of the City of Richmond for an order<\/span> imposing punishment for contempt<\/span> of the subpoena<\/span> or compelling compliance. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Whenever the Attorney General<\/span> has reasonable cause to believe that any person<\/span> has operated, is operating or is about to operate in violation of the provisions of this chapter, the Attorney General<\/span> may issue<\/span> a civil investigative demand. The provisions of § 59.1-9.10<\/a> shall apply mutatis mutandis<\/span> to civil investigative demands issued pursuant to this subsection. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Whenever the Attorney General<\/span>, or any attorney for the Commonwealth or the attorney for any city, county or town has reason to believe that any charitable or civic organization<\/span>, commercial co-venturer<\/span>, professional fund-raising counsel<\/span> or professional solicitor<\/span> has operated, is operating or is about to operate in violation of the provisions of this chapter, the Attorney General<\/span>, attorney for the Commonwealth or the attorney for any city, county or town, in addition to all other actions authorized by law<\/span>, may bring an action in the name of the Commonwealth against such charitable or civic organization<\/span>, commercial co-venturer<\/span>, professional fund-raising counsel<\/span> or professional solicitor<\/span>, or their officers, directors, or other agents to enjoin the continuation of such violation, solicitation<\/span> or collection, or the engaging therein, or the conducting of any acts in furtherance thereof and for such other relief as the court<\/span> deems appropriate. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> In any action brought under subsection D, the court<\/span> may also award to the Commonwealth a civil penalty<\/span> of not more than $5,000 per violation, to be paid to the Literary Fund, reasonable expenses incurred by the state or local agency in investigating and preparing the case, not to exceed $250 per violation, and attorney’s fees. Such expenses and attorney’s fees shall be paid into the general fund of the Commonwealth or of the county, city, or town which such attorney represented. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nENFORCEMENT OF CHAPTER; SEIZURE OF PROPERTY CONNECTED WITH TERRORISM; PENALTIES\n(\u00a7 57-59)\n\nA. Any person who willfully and knowingly violates or causes to be violated any\nprovision of this chapter, or who willfully and knowingly gives false or\nincorrect information to the Commissioner in filing statements or reports\nrequired by this chapter, whether such report or statement is verified or not,\nshall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished\nfor the first offense by a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $1,000\nor by confinement in jail for not more than six months, or both, and for the\nsecond and any subsequent offense by a fine of not less than $500 and not more\nthan $2,500 or by confinement in jail for not more than one year, or both.\n\t\t\tThe following property shall be subject to lawful seizure by any\nlaw-enforcement officer charged with enforcing the provisions of this chapter:\nall moneys or other property, real or personal, together with any interest or\nprofits derived from the investment of such money and used in substantial\nconnection with an act of terrorism as defined in § 18.2-46.4. All seizures\nand forfeitures under this section shall be governed by the procedures contained\nin Chapter 22.1 (§ 19.2-386.1 et seq.) of Title 19.2.\n\nB. Whenever the Commissioner has reasonable cause to believe that a violation of\nthis chapter may have occurred, the Commissioner, upon his own motion or upon\ncomplaint of any person, may investigate any charitable or civic organization,\ncommercial co-venturer, professional fund-raising counsel or professional\nsolicitor to determine whether such charitable or civic organization, commercial\nco-venturer, professional fund-raising counsel or professional solicitor has\nviolated the provisions of this chapter. In the conduct of such investigation,\nthe Commissioner may:\n\n 1. Require or permit any person to file a statement in writing, under oath or\n otherwise as the Commissioner determines, as to all facts and circumstances\n concerning the matter to be investigated.\n\n 2. Administer oaths or affirmations and, upon his motion or upon request of\n any party, subpoena witnesses, compel their attendance, take evidence, and\n require the production of any matter which is relevant to the investigation,\n including the existence, description, nature, custody, condition, and location\n of any books, documents, or other tangibles and the identity and location of\n persons having knowledge of relevant facts or any other matter reasonably\n calculated to lead to the discovery of material evidence.\n \t\t\t\tAny proceedings or hearings by the Commissioner under this chapter, where\n witnesses are subpoenaed and their attendance is required for evidence to be\n taken or any matter is to be produced to ascertain material evidence, shall\n take place within the City of Richmond.\n \t\t\t\tUpon failure to obey a subpoena and upon reasonable notice to all persons\n affected thereby, the Commissioner may apply to the Circuit Court of the City\n of Richmond for an order imposing punishment for contempt of the subpoena or\n compelling compliance.\n\nC. Whenever the Attorney General has reasonable cause to believe that any person\nhas operated, is operating or is about to operate in violation of the provisions\nof this chapter, the Attorney General may issue a civil investigative demand.\nThe provisions of § 59.1-9.10 shall apply mutatis mutandis to civil\ninvestigative demands issued pursuant to this subsection.\n\nD. Whenever the Attorney General, or any attorney for the Commonwealth or the\nattorney for any city, county or town has reason to believe that any charitable\nor civic organization, commercial co-venturer, professional fund-raising counsel\nor professional solicitor has operated, is operating or is about to operate in\nviolation of the provisions of this chapter, the Attorney General, attorney for\nthe Commonwealth or the attorney for any city, county or town, in addition to\nall other actions authorized by law, may bring an action in the name of the\nCommonwealth against such charitable or civic organization, commercial\nco-venturer, professional fund-raising counsel or professional solicitor, or\ntheir officers, directors, or other agents to enjoin the continuation of such\nviolation, solicitation or collection, or the engaging therein, or the\nconducting of any acts in furtherance thereof and for such other relief as the\ncourt deems appropriate.\n\nE. In any action brought under subsection D, the court may also award to the\nCommonwealth a civil penalty of not more than $5,000 per violation, to be paid\nto the Literary Fund, reasonable expenses incurred by the state or local agency\nin investigating and preparing the case, not to exceed $250 per violation, and\nattorney’s fees. Such expenses and attorney’s fees shall be paid\ninto the general fund of the Commonwealth or of the county, city, or town which\nsuch attorney represented.\n\nHISTORY: 1974, c. 574; 1979, c. 595; 1983, c. 374; 1987, c. 561; 1990, c. 711;\n1991, c. 710; 1999, c. 81; 2000, c. 755; 2003, cc. 576, 977, 1009.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}