California · Government Code

GOV §13293.5: It is a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding six months, or by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both that imprisonment and fine, if a perso

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

A misdemeanor offense involving refusing to allow department examination of records, interfering with audits, altering documents during investigations, or improperly releasing confidential draft audit materials. Punishable by up to six months jail and/or $1,000 fine.

Read the full statutory text
It is a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding six months, or by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both that imprisonment and fine, if a person does any of the following: (a) Fail or refuse to permit the examination of, access to, or reproduction of the records, files, documents, accounts, reports, correspondence, cash drawers, or cash of the person’s office by the department or in any way interferes with such examination conducted pursuant to this article. (b) Interfere, intend to deceive or defraud, or obstruct the department in its performance of an audit, evaluation, investigation, or review pursuant to this article. (c) Manipulate, correct, alter, or change records, documents, accounts, reports, or correspondence prior to or during any audit, evaluation, investigation, or review conducted pursuant to this article. (d) Distribute, reproduce, release, or fail to safeguard confidential draft documents exchanged between the department and the entity subject to the audit, evaluation, investigation, or review conducted pursuant to this article prior to the release of the department’s final report and without the department’s express permission.

Verify at the official source: California legislative text

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.