A. The Attorney General, an attorney for the Commonwealth or the attorney for any county, city or town may cause an action to be brought in the name of the Commonwealth or of the county, city or town to enjoin any violation of this chapter by any person and to recover damages for aggrieved persons in the amount of $ 500 for each such violation.

B. If the court finds a willful violation, the court may, in its discretion, also award a civil penalty of not more than $ 1,000 for each such violation.

C. In any action brought under this section, the Attorney General, the attorney for the Commonwealth or the attorney for the county, city or town may recover reasonable expenses incurred by the state or local agency in investigating and preparing the case, and attorneys’ fees.

D. Any civil penalties awarded under this section in an action brought in the name of the Commonwealth shall be paid into the Literary Fund. Any civil penalties awarded under this section in an action brought in the name of a county, city or town shall be paid into the general fund of the county, city or town.

History

2001, cc. 528, 553.