The attorney general and reporter and the district attorneys general in their respective districts have the authority to grant exemptions from the prohibitions on soliciting employment on certain contracts enumerated herein to persons giving information to such officials in a criminal investigation or testifying in a state criminal trial in connection with any contract let or funded wholly or in part by the state or by other state entities or in a criminal trial arising out of official investigations of such offenses; provided, that such information or testimony results in a conviction. Such officials also have the authority to grant such exemptions to persons giving information to such officials in a civil investigation or testifying in a lawsuit brought by the state under the Sherman Antitrust Act (15 U.S.C. § 1), or title 47, chapter 25, in connection with any contract let or funded wholly or in part by the state or by other state entities; provided, that such information or testimony results in a monetary judgment for the state. Such exemptions may be total, limited to certain contracting agencies or departments, or limited in time.