Connecticut General Statutes 3-129f – Investigation of allegations of intimidation based on bigotry or bias. Attorney General’s authority to bring an action in the name of the state related to investigation
(a) The Attorney General may investigate the facts and circumstances concerning any alleged violation of § 53a-181j, 53a-181k or 53a-181l, and in connection with such investigation, issue subpoenas and written interrogatories in the same manner and to the same extent as is provided in § 35-42. No information obtained pursuant to the provisions of this subsection may be used in a criminal proceeding.
Terms Used In Connecticut General Statutes 3-129f
- Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
- Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. Source: U.S. Courts
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Indemnification: In general, a collateral contract or assurance under which one person agrees to secure another person against either anticipated financial losses or potential adverse legal consequences. Source: FDIC
- Interrogatories: Written questions asked by one party of an opposing party, who must answer them in writing under oath; a discovery device in a lawsuit.
(b) If the Attorney General finds that a person has committed an act that constitutes a violation of § 53a-181j, 53a-181k or 53a-181l, the Attorney General may bring a civil action in the superior court for the judicial district in which such act occurred in the name of the state against such person.
(c) In any such action, the Attorney General may obtain, for the benefit of a person adversely affected by a violation of § 53a-181j, 53a-181k or 53a-181l, any relief to which such person may be entitled by law, including treble damages; a civil penalty not to exceed two thousand five hundred dollars, per violation, provided such violation has been established by clear and convincing evidence; and declaratory, injunctive or equitable relief that the Attorney General determines is necessary to vindicate the public’s interests. Any civil penalty that is received pursuant to this subsection shall be deposited in the General Fund.
(d) Nothing in this section shall limit the right of a person adversely affected by a violation of § 53a-181j, 53a-181k or 53a-181l to bring an action under § 52-571c or any other law that may entitle such person to relief, except that the Attorney General shall not bring an action under the provisions of this section during the pendency of a matter involving the same parties and the same alleged facts and circumstances before the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities.
(e) Nothing in this section shall permit the Attorney General to assert any claim against a state agency or a state officer or state employee in such officer’s or employee’s official capacity, regarding actions or omissions of such state agency, state officer or state employee. If the Attorney General determines that a state officer or state employee is not entitled to indemnification under § 5-141d, the Attorney General may, as it relates to such officer or employee, take any action authorized under this section.