(a) Any person who willfully and knowingly violates any provision of this Article is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The Commissioner may refer any available evidence concerning a violation of this Article, or of any rule adopted or order issued pursuant to this Article, to the Attorney General or a district attorney. The Attorney General or a district attorney may institute the appropriate criminal proceedings under this Article, with or without evidentiary referral from the Commissioner. Nothing in this Article limits the power of the State to punish any person for any conduct that constitutes a crime under any other statute.
(b) Any action brought against any person shall not abate by reason of a sale or other transfer of ownership of the continuing care retirement community except with the express written consent of the Commissioner.