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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>370741</law_id><section_number>56-85</section_number><catch_line>Offenses</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2026/" slug="2026" current="TRUE" last_updated="2026-08-02">2026</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="121" identifier="56">Public Service Companies</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="5" identifier="4">Regulation of Relations With Affiliated Interests</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>Every <span class="dictionary">public service company</span> (1) entering into, participating in or acting under any <span class="dictionary">contract</span> or arrangement, required by this chapter to be approved by the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span>, before obtaining such approval, or (2) making any loan, extension or renewal thereof, or assuming any obligation or liability, or extension or renewal of any such obligation or liability, required by this chapter to be approved by the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span>, before obtaining such approval, or (3) making any declaration or payment of any dividends after entry of a summary <span class="dictionary">order</span>, either temporary or permanent, prohibiting such declaration or payment in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, or (4) otherwise violating any provision of this chapter, or of any valid <span class="dictionary">order</span> of the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> entered in pursuance thereof, shall be subject to a fine, to be imposed in a proceeding before the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> instituted for the purpose of determining whether there is any liability hereunder, of not less than $10 and not in excess of $500, together with the costs of the proceeding as adjudged by the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> and as taxed by the clerk of the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> according to <span class="dictionary">law</span>; and every day of any such violation which, in its nature, is continuing, may be deemed a separate <span class="dictionary">offense</span>.</p><p>Every <span class="dictionary">public service company</span> and every <span class="dictionary">affiliated interest</span> participating in any <span class="dictionary">contract</span>, arrangement, loan, or assumption, declaration or payment of dividends, or doing any other act, in violation of this chapter, or in violation of any valid <span class="dictionary">order</span> of the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> hereunder, and every officer, director, or employee of any such <span class="dictionary">public service company</span> or of any such <span class="dictionary">affiliated interest</span>, knowingly authorizing, directing, aiding in or executing or causing to be executed, any such <span class="dictionary">contract</span> or arrangement, loan or assumption, declaration or payment of dividends, in violation of this chapter, or in violation of any valid <span class="dictionary">order</span> of the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> hereunder, shall be guilty of a <span class="dictionary">misdemeanor</span>, and such liability for a <span class="dictionary">misdemeanor</span> shall be in addition and cumulative to any liability for the imposition of a fine or <span class="dictionary">penalty</span> as hereinbefore provided in this section.</p></section></text><history>1938, p. 22; Michie Code 1942, &#xA7; 3774i3.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
