55-525.7 - Penalty; attorney fees. - Virginia Statutes

§ 55-525.7. Penalty; attorney fees.

A. In any action brought under this chapter, if a court finds that a personhas willfully engaged in an act or practice in violation of this chapter, theAttorney General, the attorney for the Commonwealth, or the attorney for thelocality may recover for the Literary Fund, upon petition to the court, acivil penalty of not more than $2,500 per violation. For purposes of thissection, prima facie evidence of a willful violation may be shown when theAttorney General, the attorney for the Commonwealth, or the attorney for thelocality notifies the alleged violator by certified mail that an act orpractice is a violation of this chapter and the alleged violator, afterreceipt of the notice, continues to engage in the act or practice.

B. In any action brought under this chapter, the Attorney General, theattorney for the Commonwealth, or the attorney for the county, city, or townmay recover costs and reasonable expenses incurred by the state or localagency in investigating and preparing the case, and attorney fees.

(2010, c. 409.)