Section 15-217. Suits and actions

The  commissioner  is  authorized and
  empowered to receive and collect all  license  fees  mentioned  in  this
  title  and  chapter  four of title twenty-seven of the code, and may sue
  for, and shall have the exclusive right of recovery of any and all fees,
  fines and penalties imposed hereunder, together with costs. Such  action
  may  be  brought  in  any  of  the  courts  of  record  of the city. The
  commissioner may bring any action for the enforcement of the rights  and
  contracts  of  the  department,  and  for the protection, possession and
  maintenance of the property under its control. All actions authorized by
  this title and chapter four of title twenty-seven of the code  shall  be
  brought  in  the  name  of the commissioner of the city of New York. The
  commissioner is authorized to settle or compromise any suit or  judgment
  for  less  than  the  amount demanded or recovered, in case he or she is
  satisfied that the full amount cannot be collected. The commissioner and
  the corporation counsel shall pay all license fees, fines and  penalties
  received  by  them  pursuant  to any of the provisions of this title and
  chapter four of title twenty-seven of the code into the general fund  of
  the  city  established  pursuant  to  section  one  hundred  nine of the
  charter.