N.Y. GOB Law § 7-109

§ 7-109. Commencement of a proceeding or action by the attorney\ngeneral to compel compliance. If it appears to the attorney general that\nany person, association, or corporation has violated or is violating any\nof the provisions of this title, an action or proceeding may be\ninstituted by the attorney general in the name of the people of the\nstate of New York to compel compliance with such provisions and enjoin\nany violation or threatened violation thereof.\n In connection with the institution of any such action or proceeding,\nthe attorney general is authorized to take proof and make a\ndetermination of the relevant facts and to issue subpoenas in accordance\nwith the civil practice law and rules.\n If in such action or proceeding, the court finds that a respondent has\ncommitted such violation the court in its discretion may award to the\nattorney general a sum not exceeding two thousand dollars with respect\nto each such respondent as costs of investigation.\n