Any dealer buying precious metal with knowledge that the metal has been stolen shall be liable to the lawful owner of such metal in an amount triple the fair market value of the stolen items, computed at the time of the theft, and shall be liable for a reasonable attorney's fee as the court in its discretion may award. This shall be a civil remedy and in addition to any other remedies provided by the law. Provided, any dealer, having purchased precious metal in compliance with the provisions of this chapter, such metal subsequently being shown to have been stolen by a member of the immediate family of the rightful owner, may demand reimbursement from the owner equal to the amount paid for the metal before returning the metal to the owner.
HISTORY: 1981 Act No. 147, Section 1.