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HomeCorporations CodeCh. 22§ 2251 Fraudulent Securities Issuance Penalty

§ 2251 Fraudulent Securities Issuance Penalty

Corporations Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 2251 Fraudulent Securities Issuance Penalty

This law says that if a company boss knowingly makes false stock papers to trick investors or lenders, they can be fined up to $1,000, go to jail for up to a year, or both.

Key Takeaways

  • •Applies to promoters, directors, and officers of a corporation.
  • •Must be done knowingly and on purpose to be illegal.
  • •Punishment is up to $1,000 fine, up to one year in jail, or both.

Example

A startup CEO creates fake stock certificates that say the company is worth a lot more than it really is and sells them to people who want to invest.

Because the CEO knew the certificates were false and used them to cheat the investors, the law says he could be charged with a misdemeanor and face a fine or jail time.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 2251 Fraudulent Securities Issuance Penalty

Any promoter, director or officer of a corporation who knowingly and willfully issues or consents to the issuance of certificates for certificated securities, or initial transaction statements or written statements for uncertificated securities, in violation of this division with intent to defraud present or future shareholders, subscribers, purchasers of shares or creditors is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) or imprisonment for not more than one year or both. (Amended by Stats. 1986, Ch. 766, Sec. 28.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

promoterdirectorofficercertificated securitiesuncertificated securitiesintent to defraudmisdemeanor

Related Statutes

  • § 12671 Fraudulent Membership Certificate Issuance
  • § 2257 Unauthorized Corporate Name Use
  • § 2253 Director Fraudulent Dividend Liability
  • § 2254 Corporate Financial Fraud Prohibition
  • § 12674 Corporate Books Falsification

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Corporations Code. Section 2251.
View Official Source