The attorney general shall appoint, with the approval of the secretary of labor, an assistant attorney general who shall be within the division of workers compensation of the department of labor and who shall receive an annual salary fixed by the attorney general with the approval of the secretary of labor and the governor. The operating expenditures for the assistant attorney general shall be financed by funds available for the administration of the workers compensation act. The duties of the assistant attorney general shall include directing or assisting in the investigation and administrative prosecution of alleged fraudulent or abusive acts or practices or other violations of Kan. Stat. Ann. § 44-5,120 through 44-5,122, and amendments thereto, or of any other provisions of the workers compensation act, and in the investigation and referral to the attorney general for criminal prosecution of any such acts, practices or violations which constitute crimes.