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California Law (Last Updated: March 4, 2014) |
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Government Code - GOV |
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Title 5. LOCAL AGENCIES |
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Division 2. CITIES, COUNTIES, AND OTHER AGENCIES |
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Part 1. POWERS AND DUTIES COMMON TO CITIES, COUNTIES, AND OTHER AGENCIES |
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Chapter 2. Officers and Employees |
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ARTICLE 4.5. Disclosure of Information: Local Government |
Section 53298.5.
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(a) Any officer, manager, or supervisor who violates Section 53298 with malicious intent is punishable by a fine not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000) and imprisonment in the county jail for up to a period of one year. In addition, any local agency officer, manager, or supervisor who maliciously engages in conduct prohibited by Section 53298 shall be disciplined as provided by local personnel rules and regulations.
(b) In addition to all other penalties provided by law, any local officer, manager, or supervisor who has been found by a court to have violated the provisions of Section 53298 with malicious intent shall be individually liable for damages in an action brought against him or her by the injured employee. Punitive damages may be awarded by the court where the offending party has acted with malice. Where liability has been established, the injured employee shall also be entitled to reasonable attorney's fees as provided by law. In no way, shall the provisions of this article establish any liability for punitive damages or any new cause of action against the local public entity other than liabilities contained in existing law.