                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

CIVIL PENALTIES; ATTORNEY FEES (§ 55.1-1015.1)

A. In addition to the penalties and liabilities set forth in &#xA7;&#xA7;
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.

B. The Attorney General recovering a civil penalty under subsection A, or the
appropriate licensing authority or the Commission instituting an enforcement
action under &#xA7; 55.1-1015, may recover costs and reasonable expenses
incurred by it in investigating and preparing the case and attorney fees.

HISTORY: 2020, c. 700.