A.R.S. § 35-196: Illegal withholding or expenditure of state monies; civil liability

Any state officer or employee who illegally withholds, expends or otherwise converts any state money to an unauthorized purpose shall be liable, either individually or on his bond, for the amount of such money, plus a penal sum of twenty per cent thereof, and an action may be instituted by the director of the department of administration or the attorney general immediately upon the discovery thereof.