177. Administration and enforcement by attorney general. 1. The attorney general shall make rules and regulations necessary for the administration of this article including, but not limited to regulations and waiver procedures that will ensure that charitable organizations do not have to register twice in relation to the solicitation and administration of assets, and rules or regulations allowing or requiring any submission to the attorney general to be effected by electronic means.
2. Upon a finding by the attorney general that any person has committed or is committing a violation of any provision of this article, the attorney general may:
(a) revoke, suspend or deny a registration of a charitable organization, professional fund raiser, professional solicitor or fund raising counsel or deny or revoke a claim of exemption or issue an order directing a charitable organization, professional fund raiser, professional solicitor, fund raising counsel or commercial co-venturer to cease and desist specified fund raising activities; and
(b) assess a civil penalty against the violator of not more than one thousand dollars for each act or omission constituting a violation and an additional penalty of not more than one hundred dollars for each day during which such violation continues. Prior to assessing a civil penalty, the attorney general shall notify the violator in writing by certified mail to its last known business address that a civil penalty will be assessed pursuant to this section unless the violation is cured within thirty days of the date of the mailing of the notice.
3. The attorney general shall, before denying, revoking or suspending any registration or exemption, or issuing a cease and desist order or assessing a civil penalty, notify the applicant or registrant in writing and provide an opportunity for a hearing on a record in reference thereto in accordance with such rules as the attorney general may promulgate to effectuate the purposes of this article. Such written notice may be served by personal delivery to the applicant or registrant or by registered or certified mail to its last known business address. Hearings must be requested within twenty days of receipt of the notice from the attorney general. Any hearing shall be held within thirty days of the receipt of the request by the attorney general, at such time and place as the attorney general shall prescribe. The attorney general, or his or her designee may issue subpoenas in accordance with the civil practice law and rules, compel the attendance of witnesses at the hearing, administer oaths, take proof and make determinations of relevant facts. The respondent may appear at the hearing and may cross-examine all witnesses and produce evidence on his or her behalf. The attorney general or his or her designee shall not be bound by the rules of evidence during the conduct of the hearing. A final determination shall be made by the attorney general or his or her designee within ten days of the conclusion of the hearing. The attorney general shall serve a copy of such determination or order upon the registrant or applicant personally or by registered or certified mail at his or her last known business address.
4. The administrative remedies provided by this article shall not be applicable to any violation of this article which is or was the subject of any action or proceeding brought by the attorney general.
Last modified: February 3, 2019