(a) Any person, including a controlling person of an offeror or target company, who wilfully violates any of the provisions of sections 4, 5, 6 or 7¹ or any regulation thereunder, or any order of which he has notice, may upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $1,000, or to imprisonment for not more than one year, or to both. Each of the acts specified shall constitute a separate offense and a prosecution or conviction for any one of such offenses shall not bar prosecution or conviction for any other offense. No indictment or information may be returned more than five years after the alleged violation.

(b) The commission may refer such evidence as is available concerning violations of this act or of any regulation or order hereunder to the Attorney General who may institute the appropriate criminal proceedings under this act. If referred to the Attorney General, he shall within 90 days file with the commission a statement concerning any action taken or, if no action has been taken, the reasons therefor.

(c) Nothing in this act limits the power of the Commonwealth to punish any person for any conduct which constitutes a crime under any other statute.