HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - The State of Connecticut collected more than $1 million in fines from out-of-state companies that did not properly register in fiscal year 2008.

State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz joined in investigating the 310 companies that had to pay.

"These fines are a powerful preemptive strike against consumer fraud," Blumenthal said. "When companies fail to register, it impedes my office from easily identifying and holding accountable businesses that harm Connecticut citizens."

All businesses must register with the Secretary of State and pay a fee before they can conduct business in Connecticut. There are more than 47,000 registered.

"Only the most irresponsible companies will subvert simple requirements to register," Blumenthal said. "We will continue our cooperative crackdown to protect consumers, as well as lawfully registered businesses."

The smallest fine assessed was $165, while the largest, charged to Florists Transworld Delivery, was $22,380.

Kemira Chemicals had to pay $17,805, and T&M Equipment Corp. had to pay $16,912.50.

The average fine was $3,341.53, a 22-percent increase from the previous fiscal year. For a complete list of companies fined, click here.

From Legal Newsline: Reach John O'Brien by e-mail at john@legalnewsline.com.