59.1-9.15 - Actions on behalf of Commonwealth or localities; injunctive relief; damages. - Virginia Statutes

§ 59.1-9.15. Actions on behalf of Commonwealth or localities; injunctiverelief; damages.

(a) The Attorney General on behalf of the Commonwealth, or the attorney forthe Commonwealth or county attorney on behalf of a county, or the cityattorney on behalf of a city, or the town attorney on behalf of a town mayinstitute actions and proceedings for injunctive relief and civil penaltiesfor violations of this chapter. In any such action or proceeding in which theplaintiff substantially prevails, the court may award the cost of suit,including a reasonable attorney's fee, to such plaintiff.

(b) The Commonwealth, a political subdivision thereof, or any public agencyinjured in its business or property by reason of a violation of this chapter,may recover the actual damages sustained, reasonable attorney's fees and thecosts of suit. If the trier of facts finds that the violation is willful orflagrant, it may increase damages to an amount not in excess of three timesthe actual damages sustained.

(c) The Attorney General in acting under subsection (a) or (b) of thissection may also bring such action on behalf of any political subdivision ofthe Commonwealth, provided that the Attorney General shall notify each suchsubdivision of the pendency of the action and give such subdivision theoption of exclusion from the action.

(d) The Attorney General may bring a civil action to recover damages andsecure other relief as provided by this chapter as parens patriae respectinginjury to the general economy of the Commonwealth.

(1974, c. 545; 1982, c. 60; 1988, c. 589.)