§3555. Injunctions; investigations; enforcement actions; civil penalties; costs

A. The commissioner may bring a suit in a court of competent jurisdiction and venue to restrain and enjoin an extender of credit or a person acting on his behalf or both from engaging in future violations of this Chapter or from engaging in a course of fraudulent conduct in inducing consumers to enter into fraudulent consumer credit transactions or in the collection of debts in violation of law.

B. If the court finds that there is reasonable cause to believe that the respondent is engaging in or is likely to engage in fraudulent conduct or in conduct that violates this Chapter, it may grant injunctive relief as otherwise provided by law but without the furnishing of a bond by the commissioner.

C. If an investigation or examination conducted by the commissioner discloses that any person has violated an order of the commissioner under the provisions of this Chapter, or has violated a consent agreement entered into with the commissioner, other than as a result of a bona fide error, the cost of such investigation or examination shall be borne by the person investigated or examined. If the commissioner is granted an injunction pursuant to this Section, or is granted a court order enforcing an order of the commissioner or enforcing any provision of a consent agreement, the commissioner may recover from the defendant or defendants costs and reasonable attorney fees incurred in bringing such action.

D. Civil penalties paid to the commissioner, and overcharge violations of five dollars or less per consumer ordered by the commissioner to be refunded, and paid to the commissioner, shall be deposited in the state treasury and, after compliance with the requirements of Article VII, Section 9(B) of the Constitution of Louisiana relative to the Bond Security and Redemption Fund shall be designated as self-generated revenues of the agency.

Added by Acts 1972, No. 454, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1973; Acts 1992, No. 138, §1, eff. June 5, 1992; Acts 1995, No. 1184, §2; Acts 1999, No. 1315, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2000; Acts 2001, No. 1182, §1, eff. July 1, 2001.