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(a) Any utility supplier damaged through meter tampering or other acts by any person; including any acts which divert, or cause to be diverted, any utility service by any means whatsoever; or which make, or cause to be made, any unauthorized reconnection with property owned or used by the supplier to provide utility services without the authorization or consent of the utility supplier, shall have a cause of action against any such person found in violation of this section in the circuit courts of this state for all damages resulting therefrom, including actual, consequential, and punitive damages.
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(b) Such utility supplier shall be entitled to no less than three (3) times the amount of damages and shall also be entitled to reasonable attorney’s fees.
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(c) The cause of action created by this section exists regardless of any criminal charge against a utility customer for defrauding or depriving a utility supplier of proper charges or payment for utility service or damaged metering devices.
