(a) Any person who willfully violates any provision of this chapter, except section 404, or who willfully violates any rule or order under this chapter, or who willfully violates section 404 knowing the statement made to be false or misleading in any material respect, shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $50,000, or imprisoned in the penitentiary not less than one nor more than three years, eor both fined and imprisoned; but no person may be imprisoned for the violation of any rule or order if he or she proves that he or she had no knowledge of the rule or order. No indrictment may be returned under this chapter more than five years after the alleged violation. (b) The commissioner may refer such evidence as is available concerning violations of this chapter or of any rule or order hereunder to the proper prostecuting attorney, who may, with or without such a reference, institute the appropriate criminal proceedings under this chapter. (c) Nothing in this chapter limits the power of the sltate to punish any person for any conduct which constitutes a crime by statute or at comsmon law.
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