Section 7-11-602 - Enforcement(a) If the director reasonably believes, whether or not based upon an investigation conducted under § 7-11-601, that any person has engaged, is engaging, or is about to engage in any act or practice constituting a violation of any provision of this chapter or any rule or order under this chapter, the director, in addition to any specific power granted under this chapter and subject to compliance with the requirements of § 7-11-712, may issue, without a prior hearing, an order against the person or persons engaged in the prohibited activities, directing them to desist and refrain from further illegal activity. The cease and desist order shall state the section of this chapter or rule or order of the director under this chapter that the director reasonably believes has been or is being violated.(b) If the director reasonably believes, whether or not based on an investigation conducted under § 7-11-601, that a person has violated this chapter or a rule or order of the director under this chapter, the director may, in addition to any specific power granted under this chapter, after notice and hearing in an administrative proceeding unless the right to notice and hearing is waived by the person against whom the sanction is imposed: (1) Issue a cease and desist order against the person;(2) Censure the person if the person is a licensed broker-dealer, sales representative, investment adviser, or investment adviser representative;(3) Bar or suspend the person from association with a licensed broker-dealer or investment adviser in this state; and(4) Issue an order against an applicant, licensed person, or other person who violates this chapter or a rule or order of the director under this chapter, imposing a civil penalty up to a maximum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for a single violation.(c) For purposes of determining what sanctions, if any, to be imposed under subsections (b)(1) through (b)(4) of this section, the director shall consider, among other factors, the frequency and persistence of the conduct constituting a violation of this chapter or a rule or order of the director under this chapter, the number of persons adversely affected by the conduct, and the resources of the person committing the violation.R.I. Gen. Laws § 7-11-602
P.L. 1990, ch. 460, § 2; P.L. 2003, ch. 58, § 1; P.L. 2003, ch. 69, § 1.