Any person or persons who shall take, use, appropriate, or permit to be taken, used, or appropriated any portion of any such fund as herein specified for any purpose other than that permitted by law shall be jointly and severally liable to the county, city, school district, irrigation district, or other municipal or public corporation to which said fund shall belong for the portion of such fund so unlawfully taken, used, or appropriated.
§ 20-9-445, MCA