In any case where the Attorney General has authority to institute an action or proceeding under this article, he or she may accept an assurance of voluntary compliance through which any person alleged to be engaged in any method, act, or practice in violation of this article agrees to discontinue that method, act, or practice. The assurance may, among other terms, include a stipulation of a voluntary payment by the person of the cost of the investigation or of an amount to be held in escrow pending the outcome of an action or as restitution to aggrieved persons, or both. The assurance of voluntary compliance shall not be considered an admission of a violation for any purpose. The assurance of compliance shall be in writing and shall be filed with a superior court in this state for approval and if approved shall thereafter be filed with the clerk of the court. Matters closed may at any time be reopened by the court for further proceedings in the public interest. In the event of an alleged violation, the Attorney General may, at his or her discretion, either initiate contempt proceedings or proceed as if the assurance of voluntary compliance has not been accepted.
(Added by Stats. 2000, Ch. 475, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2001.)