N.Y. GBS Law § 358

§ 358. Criminal prosecution. The attorney-general may prosecute every\nperson charged with the commission of a criminal offense in violation of\nthe laws of this state, applicable to or in respect of the practices or\ntransactions which in this article are referred to as fraudulent\npractices. In all such proceedings, the attorney-general may appear in\nperson or by his deputy before any court of record or any grand jury and\nexercise all the powers and perform all the duties in respect of such\nactions or proceedings which the district attorney would otherwise be\nauthorized or required to exercise or perform; or the attorney-general\nmay in his discretion transmit evidence, proof and information as to\nsuch offense to the district attorney of the county or counties in which\nthe alleged violation has occurred, and every district attorney to whom\nsuch evidence, proof and information is so transmitted shall forthwith\nproceed to prosecute any corporation, company, association, or officer,\nmanager or agent thereof, or any firm or person charged with such\nviolation. In any such proceeding, wherein the attorney-general has\nappeared either in person or by deputy, the district attorney shall only\nexercise such powers and perform such duties as are required of him by\nthe attorney-general or the deputy attorney-general so appearing.\n