§ 17-25-16. Enjoining of illegal acts — Forfeiture of contributions.
(a) Whenever the board of elections has reason to believe that a candidate, political
party committee, or political action committee, or the campaign treasurer or deputy
campaign treasurer of the candidate or committee, has accepted a contribution or made
an expenditure in violation of the provisions of this chapter, or willfully and knowingly
has made a false statement in any of the reports required under this chapter or failed
to file any report, or has otherwise violated this chapter, the board may, in addition
to all other actions authorized by law, request the attorney
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§ 17-25-16. Enjoining of illegal acts — Forfeiture of contributions.
(a) Whenever the board of elections has reason to believe that a candidate, political
party committee, or political action committee, or the campaign treasurer or deputy
campaign treasurer of the candidate or committee, has accepted a contribution or made
an expenditure in violation of the provisions of this chapter, or willfully and knowingly
has made a false statement in any of the reports required under this chapter or failed
to file any report, or has otherwise violated this chapter, the board may, in addition
to all other actions authorized by law, request the attorney general to bring an action
in the name of the state of Rhode Island in the superior court against the person
and/or committee to enjoin them from continuing the violation, or doing any acts in
furtherance of the violation, and for any other relief that the court deems appropriate.
In addition, the court may order the forfeiture of any or all contributions accepted
in violation of and/or not reported as required by this chapter. All contributions
so forfeited shall become the property of the state.
(b) The court shall also impose a civil penalty not exceeding three (3) times the amount
of:
(1) Contributions made or accepted in violation of this chapter;
(2) Expenditures made in violation of this chapter; and/or
(3) Contributions or expenditures not reported as required by this chapter.
(c) All funds collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the fund established
for the public financing of the electoral system pursuant to this chapter.