The Florida Senate

717.134  Penalties and interest.--

(1)  The department may impose and collect a penalty of $500 per day up to a maximum of $5,000 and 25 percent of the value of property not reported until a report is rendered for any person who willfully fails to render any report required under this chapter. Upon a holder's showing of good cause, the department may waive said penalty or any portion thereof. If the holder acted in good faith and without negligence, the department shall waive the penalty provided herein.

(2)  The department may impose and collect a penalty of $500 per day up to a maximum of $5,000 and 25 percent of the value of property not paid or delivered until the property is paid or delivered for any person who willfully refuses to pay or deliver abandoned property to the department as required under this chapter.

(3)  Any person who willfully or fraudulently conceals, destroys, damages, or makes unlawful disposition of any property or of the books, records, or accounts pertaining to property which is subject to the provisions of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

(4)  In addition to any damages, penalties, or fines for which a person may be liable under any other provision of law, any person who fails to report or pay or deliver unclaimed property within the time prescribed by this chapter shall pay to the department interest at the rate of 12 percent per annum on such property, or value thereof, from the date such property shall have been paid or delivered. The department may waive any penalty due under this subsection with appropriate justification.

History.--s. 35, ch. 87-105; s. 21, ch. 96-301.