(a) Any person who willfully disobeys, prevents, or hinders the discharge of the functions of the Office or of any of its authorized agents in the exercise of their duties pursuant to this chapter, or obstructs the holding of a hearing conducted in accordance with the purposes of this chapter, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than six (6) months or a fine that shall not exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000), or both penalties, at the discretion of the court.
(b) Any person that, without the express consent of the Ombudsman, discloses any evidence furnished or testimony given in an executive hearing of the Office, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by imprisonment for a term not to exceed six (6) months or a fine not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000), or both penalties, at the discretion of the court.
(c) It is hereby declared that, without the express consent of the Ombudsman, no evidence furnished or testimony given in an executive hearing shall be disclosed. Therefore, any person who violates this provision shall be punished by a fine that shall not exceed five hundred dollars ($500) or imprisonment for a term not to exceed six (6) months, or both penalties, at the discretion of the Court.
History —July 24, 2013, No. 76, § 16.