Any person who maliciously and knowingly spreads false reports about the finances or management or activity of an association organized hereunder or organized under a similar statute of another State with similar restrictions, and operating in this State under due authority shall be guilty of a business offense and be subject to a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $1000 for each such offense; and shall be liable to the association aggrieved in a civil suit in the penal sum of $500 for each such offense.
805 ILCS 315/27