N.Y. Civil Practice Law & Rules § 7201: Action by state

§ 7201. Action by state. (a) Statutory penalty or forfeiture. Where

property has been forfeited or a penalty incurred to the state or to an

officer, for its use, pursuant to statute, the attorney-general, or the

district attorney of the county in which the action is triable, if such

an action has not already been brought by the attorney-general, shall

commence an action to recover the property or penalty. A recovery in

such an action bars the recovery in any other action brought for the

same cause.

(b) Forfeiture on conviction for treason. Where personal property is

forfeited to the state upon a conviction of outlawry for treason, the

attorney-general shall commence an action to recover the property or its

value.

(c) Forfeiture of recognizance. Where the condition of a recognizance

is broken, the recognizance is wholly forfeited by an order of the court

directing its prosecution. Where a recognizance to the state is

forfeited, it is not necessary to allege or prove any damages.