(a) If the Securities Commissioner believes that a person has engaged, is engaging, or is about to engage in an act, practice, or course of business constituting a violation of this chapter or a rule adopted or order issued under this chapter or that a person has, is, or is about to engage in an act, practice, or course of business that materially aids a violation of this chapter or a rule adopted or order issued under this chapter, the Securities Commissioner may maintain an action in the Richland County Court of Common Pleas to enjoin the act, practice, or course of business and to enforce compliance with this chapter or a rule adopted or order issued under this chapter.

(b) In an action under this section and on a proper showing, the court may:

(1) issue a permanent or temporary injunction, restraining order, or declaratory judgment;

(2) order other appropriate or ancillary relief, which may include:

(A) an asset freeze, accounting, writ of attachment, writ of general or specific execution, and appointment of a receiver or conservator, that may be the Securities Commissioner, for the defendant or the defendant's assets;

(B) ordering the Securities Commissioner to take charge and control of a defendant's property, including investment accounts and accounts in a depository institution, rents, and profits; to collect debts; and to acquire and dispose of property;

(C) imposing a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed ten thousand dollars for each violation; an order of rescission, restitution, or disgorgement directed to a person that has engaged in an act, practice, or course of business constituting a violation of this chapter or the predecessor chapter or a rule adopted or order issued under this chapter or the predecessor chapter; and

(D) ordering the payment of prejudgment and postjudgment interest; or

(3) order such other relief as the court considers appropriate.

(c) The Securities Commissioner may not be required to post a bond in an action or proceeding under this chapter.

HISTORY: 2005 Act No. 110, Section 1, eff January 1, 2006.