§ 75E-5. Civil penalties.
§75E‑5. Civil penalties.
In any suit instituted by theAttorney General in which the defendant is found to have violated G.S. 75E‑2,the court may, in its discretion, impose a civil penalty against the defendantof not more than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) for each violation;provided that, if the court shall determine that such violation was willful, itmay in its discretion treble such penalty; provided, further, that in either ofthe foregoing circumstances, the court may in its discretion award to theAttorney General costs and reasonable attorneys' fees. The clear proceeds ofany penalty assessed pursuant to this section shall be remitted to the CivilPenalty and Forfeiture Fund in accordance with G.S. 115C‑457.2. (1991,c. 440, s. 1; 1998‑215, s. 105.)