Section 10-04-16 - Orders, injunctions, and prosecutions for violations - Civil penaltyIf it appears to the commissioner, either upon complaint or otherwise, that any person has engaged in, or is engaging in, or is about to engage in any act or practice or transaction that is prohibited by this chapter or by any order of the commissioner issued under this chapter or which is declared to be illegal in this chapter, the commissioner may:
1. Issue any order, including cease and desist, rescission, stop, and suspension orders, which the commissioner deems necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of investors. An order of the commissioner is effective upon issuance. The commissioner may, in addition to any other remedy authorized by this chapter, impose by order and collect a civil penalty against any person found in an administrative action to have violated any provision of this chapter, or any rule or order adopted or issued under this chapter, in an amount not to exceed ten thousand dollars for each violation. The commissioner may bring actions to recover penalties pursuant to this section in district court. A person aggrieved by an order issued pursuant to this subsection may request a hearing before the commissioner if a written request is made within fifteen days after receipt of the order. If a request for hearing is made under this subsection, the commissioner shall schedule a hearing within a reasonable time. Subsections 3 and 4 of section 10-04-12 apply to any hearing conducted under this subsection. If, after a hearing, the commissioner sustains an order previously issued, the sustaining order is subject to appeal to the district court of Burleigh County according to the procedures set forth in chapter 28-32. Any order issued under this subsection is a final order if it is properly served and no hearing was requested within the required timeline. If an order issued under this subsection is sustained or modified after a hearing held in accordance with section 10-04-12, the order sustaining or modifying that order is a final order. If the final order is not appealed in accordance with the procedures set forth in chapter 28-32 or if the final order is sustained on appeal, the securities department may file a certified copy of the final order with the clerk of a court of competent jurisdiction. The order so filed has the same effect as a judgment of the court and may be recorded, enforced, or satisfied in the same manner as a judgment of the court.2. Apply to the district court of any county in this state for an injunction restraining the person and the person's agents, employees, partners, officers, and directors from continuing the act, practice, or transaction or engaging therein or doing any acts in furtherance thereof, and for such other and further relief as the facts warrant. In any proceeding for an injunction, the commissioner may apply for and on due showing be issued the court's subpoena requiring the appearance forthwith of any defendant and the defendant's agents, employees, partners, officers, or directors, and the production of the documents, books, and records necessary for the hearing upon the petition for an injunction. Upon proof of any of the offenses described in this section, the court may grant the injunction as the facts warrant, and a receiver or conservator may be appointed for the defendant or the defendant's assets, and the court may assess civil penalties in an amount not to exceed ten thousand dollars for each violation of this chapter, and any rules promulgated thereunder or orders issued thereunder. The court shall not require the commissioner to post a bond.3. Refer any evidence available concerning the act, practice, or transaction to the appropriate criminal prosecutor who may, with or without the reference, institute the necessary criminal proceedings. The prosecutor may apply for and on due showing be issued the court's subpoena requiring the appearance forthwith of any defendant and the defendant's agents, employees, partners, officers, and directors, and the production of any documents, books, and records necessary for the prosecution of the criminal proceedings.Amended by S.L. 2023 , ch. 101( SB 2060 ), § 7, eff. 7/1/2023.