2023 Indiana Code › Title 23. Business and Other Associations › Article 2. Securities and Franchises › Chapter 2.5. Franchises › 23-2-2.5-34. Violations; Orders and Notices; Hearing; Costs; Civil Penalties; Enforcement Action

Sec. 34. (a) If it appears to the commissioner that:
(1) the offer of any franchise is subject to registration under this chapter and it is being, or it has been, offered for sale without such offer first being registered; or
(2) a person has engaged in or is about to engage in an act, a practice, or a course of business constituting a violation of this chapter or a rule or an order under this chapter;
the commissioner may investigate and may issue, with or without a prior hearing, orders and notices as the commissioner determines to be in the public interest, including cease and desist orders, orders to show cause, and notices. After notice and an opportunity for hearing, the commissioner may enter an order of rescission, restitution, or disgorgement, including interest at the rate of eight percent (8%) per year, directed to a person who has violated this chapter or a rule or order under this chapter. In addition to all other remedies, the commissioner may bring an action in the name of and on behalf of the state against any person participating in or about to participate in a violation of this chapter, to enjoin the person from continuing or doing an act furthering a violation of this chapter and may obtain the appointment of a receiver or conservator. Upon a proper showing by the commissioner, the court shall enter an order of the commissioner directing rescission, restitution, or disgorgement against a person who has violated this chapter or a rule or order under this chapter.
(b) Upon the issuance of an order or a notice by the commissioner under subsection (a), the commissioner shall promptly notify the respondent of the following:
(1) That the order or notice has been issued.
(2) The reasons the order or notice has been issued.
(3) That upon the receipt of a written request the matter will be set for a hearing to commence not later than forty-five (45) business days after the commissioner receives the request, unless the respondent consents to a later date.
If the respondent does not request a hearing and the commissioner does not order a hearing, the order or notice will remain in effect until it is modified or vacated by the commissioner. If a hearing is requested or ordered, the commissioner, after giving notice of the hearing, may modify or vacate the order or extend it until final determination.
(c) In a final order, the commissioner may charge the costs of an investigation or a proceeding conducted in connection with a violation of:
(1) this chapter; or
(2) a rule or an order adopted or issued under this chapter;
to be paid as directed by the commissioner in the order.
(d) In a proceeding in a circuit or superior court under this section, the commissioner is entitled to recover all costs and expenses of investigation to which the commissioner would be entitled in an administrative proceeding, and the court shall include the costs in its final judgment.
(e) If the commissioner determines, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, that a person has violated this chapter, the commissioner may, in addition to or instead of all other remedies, impose a civil penalty upon the person in an amount not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for each violation. An appeal from the decision of the commissioner imposing a civil penalty under this subsection may be taken by an aggrieved party under section 44 of this chapter.
(f) The commissioner may bring an action in the circuit or superior court of Marion County to enforce payment of any penalty imposed under subsection (e).
(g) Penalties collected under this section shall be deposited in the securities division enforcement account established under IC 23-19-6-1(f).
Formerly: Acts 1975, P.L.262, SEC.1. As amended by P.L.230-2007, SEC.5; P.L.1-2009, SEC.129.