N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law § 692

§ 692. Enforcement by attorney general. 1. The department may\nprosecute every person charged with a criminal offense in violation of\nthis article and regulations issued thereunder. In all such proceedings,\nthe department may appear before any court of record or any grand jury\nand perform all the duties in respect of such actions or proceedings\nwhich the district attorney would otherwise be authorized or required to\nexercise or perform; or the department may in its discretion transmit\nevidence, proof and information as to such offense to the district\nattorney of the county or counties in which the alleged violation has\noccurred, and every district attorney to whom such evidence, proof and\ninformation is so transmitted may proceed to investigate and prosecute\nany person charged with such violation. In any such proceeding wherein\nthe department has appeared, the district attorney shall only exercise\nsuch powers and perform such duties as are required of him by the\ndepartment.\n 2. Upon a showing by the department that a fraudulent practice as\ndefined by this article has occurred, the department may include in an\naction under this article an application to direct restitution of any\nmoneys or property obtained directly or indirectly by any such\nfraudulent practice.\n