Prohibited financial interests: aiding and abetting.

Existing law prohibits Members of the Legislature and state, county, district, judicial district, and city officers or employees, from being financially interested in any contract made by them in their official capacity, or by any body or board of which they are members. Existing law also prohibits state, county, district, judicial district, and city officers or employees, from being purchasers at any sale or vendors at any purchase made by them in their official capacity. Existing law also prohibits the Treasurer, Controller, county and city officers, and their deputies and clerks from purchasing or selling, or in any manner receiving for their own or any other person's use or benefit any state, county, or city warrants, scrip, orders, demands, claims, or other evidences of indebtedness against the state, a county, or city. A willful violation of these prohibitions is a crime punishable by fine or imprisonment in the state prison, and forever disqualifies the offending public officer or person from holding any office in the state. This bill would prohibit an individual from aiding or abetting a public officer or person in violating these prohibitions, and expand these penalties to also apply to the individual who willfully aids or abets. This bill would also make technical, nonsubstantive changes. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.