§ 873. Enforcement. Whenever the attorney general shall believe from
evidence satisfactory to him that any person, firm, corporation or
association or agent or employee thereof has violated any provision of
this article, he may bring an action or special proceeding in the
supreme court for a judgment enjoining the continuance of such violation
and for a civil penalty of not more than one thousand dollars for each
violation. If it shall appear to the satisfaction of the court or
justice that the defendant has violated any provision of this article,
no proof shall be required that any person has been injured thereby nor
that the defendant knowingly or intentionally violated such provision.
In such action preliminary relief may be granted under article
sixty-three of the civil practice law and rules. In connection with any
such proposed application, the attorney general is authorized to take
proof, issue subpoenas and administer oaths in the manner provided in
the civil practice law and rules.