2006 Minnesota Statutes

CHAPTER 556. USURPATION, PREVENTION; CHARTERS, LETTERS PATENT; VACATION

556.01 USURPATION OF OFFICE, ILLEGAL ACT.
When the attorney general has reason to believe that a cause of action can be proved, the
attorney general may bring an action in the name of the state, upon the complaint of a private
person, or upon other information, against the person offending, in the following cases:
(1) when any person usurps, intrudes into, or unlawfully holds or exercises any public office
or any franchise, or any office in a corporation created by authority of the state;
(2) when any public officer does or suffers an act which by law causes a forfeiture of office; or
(3) when an association or number of persons acts as a corporation without being duly
incorporated.
History: (9711) RL s 4545; 1986 c 444

556.02 USURPING OFFICE; COMPLAINT; JUDGMENT.
When such action is brought against a person for usurping an office, the attorney general, in
addition to the statement of the cause of action, may also set forth in the complaint the name of
the person rightfully entitled to the office, and by what right; and in every such case judgment
may be rendered upon the right of the defendant, and also upon that of the person so alleged to
be entitled, if justice shall require.
History: (9714) RL s 4548; 1986 c 444

556.03 CLAIMANT TO HAVE OFFICE.
If judgment be rendered in favor of the person so alleged to be entitled, that person may
assume the office, and, by order of the court, may be put in possession thereof, and of the books
and papers belonging thereto, and may recover, by action, any damages sustained by reason
of such usurpation.
History: (9715) RL s 4549; 1986 c 444

556.04 CLAIMANTS MAY BE JOINED.
When there are several claimants to the same office or franchise, one action may be brought
against all to determine their respective rights.
History: (9716) RL s 4550

556.05 JUDGMENT FOR USURPATION; FINE.
When a person or corporation is adjudged guilty of usurping, intruding into, or unlawfully
holding or exercising any office, franchise, or privilege, the court shall render judgment excluding
the defendant from the office, franchise, or privilege and may also impose a fine of not more
than $3,000.
History: (9717) RL s 4551; 1984 c 628 art 3 s 11

556.06 ACT OF INCORPORATION, ANNULMENT.
The attorney general may bring an action in the name of the state against a corporation to
annul the act of incorporation, or of renewal thereof, on the ground that such act was procured
upon some fraudulent suggestion, or concealment of a material fact, by some or all of the
incorporators, or with their knowledge and consent.
History: (9709) RL s 4543

556.07 CORPORATE CHARTER, VACATION.
An action may be brought by the attorney general in the name of the state to vacate the
charter or annul the existence of a corporation, other than municipal, whenever such corporation:
(1) offends against any act creating, altering, or renewing it;
(2) violates any provision of law whereby it forfeits its charter by abuse of its powers;
(3) forfeits its privileges or franchises by failure to exercise its powers;
(4) does or omits any act amounting to a surrender of its corporate rights, privileges, and
franchises; or
(5) exercises a franchise or privilege not conferred upon it by law.
The attorney general shall bring action in every case of public interest, whenever the attorney
general has reason to believe that any of these acts or omissions can be proved, and in every other
case in which satisfactory security shall be given to indemnify the state against costs and expenses.
History: (9710) RL s 4544; 1986 c 444

556.08 CORPORATION, WHEN DISSOLVED.
If the court shall determine that a corporation, by neglect, abuse, or surrender, has forfeited
its corporate rights, privileges, and franchises, it shall adjudge that it be excluded therefrom
and be dissolved.
History: (9718) RL s 4552

556.09 COSTS.
If judgment be rendered in such action against a corporation, or against persons claiming to
be such, the court may cause the costs therein to be collected by execution against such persons,
or by process against the directors or other officers of such corporation.
History: (9719) RL s 4553

556.10 JUDGMENT AGAINST CORPORATION; RECEIVER.
When such judgment is rendered against a corporation, the court may restrain it, appoint a
receiver of its property, and make distribution thereof among its creditors, for which purpose the
attorney general shall forthwith institute proceedings.
History: (9720) RL s 4554

556.11 LETTERS PATENT, VACATION.
The attorney general may bring an action in the name of the state to vacate or annul letters
patent granted by the state, whenever the attorney general has reason to believe:
(1) that such letters were obtained by means of some fraudulent suggestion or concealment of
a material fact, made by or with the consent or knowledge of the person to whom they were issued;
(2) that such letters were issued through mistake, or in ignorance of a material fact; or
(3) that the patentee, or those claiming under the patentee, have done or omitted an act in
violation of the terms and conditions on which the letters were granted, or have by any other
means forfeited the interest acquired thereunder.
History: (9712) RL s 4546; 1986 c 444

556.12 JUDGMENT ROLL; COPY FILED.
Upon rendition of such judgment against a corporation, or for the vacating or annulling of
letters patent, the attorney general shall forthwith cause a copy of the judgment roll to be filed
with the secretary of state.
History: (9721) RL s 4555

556.13 RELATER TO BE JOINED.
When an action is brought by virtue of this chapter on the complaint or information of any
person having an interest therein, the name of such person shall be joined with the state as plaintiff.
History: (9713) RL s 4547