Section 4719.12. Injunctions - civil penalties

(A) Whenever it appears that a person has violated, is violating, or is about to violate a provision of sections 4719.01 to 4719.18 of the Revised Code, the attorney general may bring an action in a court of common pleas to enjoin the alleged violation. Upon a showing of a violation of a provision of those sections, the court shall grant a temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction, or permanent injunction without bond. The court may impose a civil penalty of not more than five thousand dollars for each day of violation of a temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction, or permanent injunction issued under this section. The court may issue an order for the reimbursement of a purchaser for any loss that results from a violation of a provision of sections 4719.01 to 4719.18 of the Revised Code, for the appointment of a referee or receiver, for the sequestration of assets, or for any other appropriate relief. The court may award the attorney general all costs together with all expenses of the attorney general's investigation and reasonable attorney's fees incurred in the prosecution of the action. Moneys awarded to the attorney general under this section shall be deposited in the consumer protection enforcement fund created by section 1345.51 of the Revised Code.

(B) In an action brought by the attorney general to enforce a provision of sections 4719.01 to 4719.18 of the Revised Code or a rule adopted under any of those provisions, the attorney general may request, and the court shall impose, a civil penalty of not less than one thousand nor more than twenty-five thousand dollars for each violation of section 4719.02, 4719.05, or 4719.06, division (C), (D), or (E) of section 4719.07, section 4719.08 or division (A) of section 4719.09 of the Revised Code that the court finds the telephone solicitor or salesperson committed. A civil penalty ordered pursuant to this section shall be paid to the consumer protection enforcement fund created by section 1345.51 of the Revised Code.

Effective Date: 12-05-1996