(a) Whenever it appears to the commissioner that any person has engaged in or is about to engage in any acts or practices constituting a violation of any provision of this division or any rule or order adopted pursuant to this division, the commissioner may in the commissioner’s discretion bring an action in the name of the people of the State of California in the superior court to enjoin the acts or practices or to enforce compliance. Upon a proper showing a permanent or preliminary injunction, restraining order, or writ of mandate shall be granted and a receiver or conservator, which may include the commissioner, may be appointed for the defendant or the defendant’s assets, and any other ancillary relief may be granted as appropriate. A receiver or conservator appointed by the court pursuant to this section may, with the approval of the court, exercise all of the powers of the defendant’s officers, directors, trustees, or persons who exercise similar powers and perform similar duties, including the powers expressly authorized by subdivision (b) of Section 14300.

(b) If the commissioner determines it is in the public interest, the commissioner may include in any action authorized by subdivision (a), a claim for ancillary relief, including, but not limited to, a claim for restitution or disgorgement or damages on behalf of the persons injured by the act or practice constituting the subject matter of the action, and the court shall have jurisdiction to award the additional relief.

(Repealed and added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 1202, Sec. 2.)