§2156. Damages; fines; penalties; interest

A. Actual damages incurred as a result of a violation of the provisions of this Chapter shall be recovered only once on behalf of the hurricane relief programs and shall not be waived by the court. Actual damages shall equal the difference between the value of the benefits received by the person from hurricane relief programs and the value of the benefits that the person should have received had not a violation of this Chapter occurred plus interest at the maximum rate of legal interest provided by R.S. 13:4202 from the date the damage occurred to the date of repayment.

B. Except as limited by this Section, any person who is found to have violated any provision of this Chapter shall be subject to a civil fine in an amount not to exceed three times the amount of actual damages sustained by the hurricane relief programs as a result of the violation.

C. In addition to any other penalty or fine imposed herein, any person who is found to have violated any provision of this Chapter shall be subject to a civil monetary penalty of not more than ten thousand dollars for each false or fraudulent claim, misrepresentation, illegal remuneration, or other act prohibited by this Chapter.

D. Costs, expenses, fees, and attorney fees. (1) Any person who is found to have violated this Chapter shall be liable for all costs, expenses, and fees related to investigations and proceedings associated with the violation, including attorney fees.

(2) All awards of costs, expenses, fees, and attorney fees are subject to review by the court using a reasonable, necessary, and proper standard of review.

(3) The attorney general shall promptly remit awards for those costs, expenses, and fees incurred by the various clerks of court or sheriffs involved in the investigations or proceedings to the appropriate clerk or sheriff.

Acts 2006, No. 479, §1, eff. June 22, 2006.