§47-18-9. Damages; treble damage suits.

Any person who shall be injured in his business or property by reason of a violation of the provisions of this article may bring an action therefor and shall recover threefold the damages sustained by him together with reasonable attorneys' fees, filing fees and reasonable costs of the action. Reasonable costs of the action may include, but shall not be limited to the expenses of discovery and document reproduction.

The state and any of its political subdivisions and public agencies shall be deemed a person within the meaning of this section. The Attorney General may bring an action on behalf of this state, or any of its public agencies, counties, municipalities or other political subdivisions to recover the damages provided for by this section or provision of federal law: Provided, That this shall not impair the authority of any such county, municipality or other political subdivision to bring such action on its own behalf.