§ 12-3. Interference with, or damage to public utilities.

(a)

It shall be unlawful for any person intentionally and without authority to damage or destroy any meter, pipe, conduit, wire, line, post, lamp or other apparatus belonging to a company or to the City, engaged in the manufacture or sale of electricity, gas, water, telephone, or other public services; intentionally and without authority to prevent a meter from properly registering the quantity of such service supplied; in any way to interfere with the proper action of such company or the City; or otherwise intentionally and without authority to use or cause to be used without the consent of such company or the City any service manufactured, sold or distributed by such company or the City.

(b)

Where there is no evidence to the contrary, the person performing any of the illegal acts referred to in subsection (a) of this section, and/or the person, who with knowledge of such violation, receives the benefit of such service without proper charge as a result of such improper action shall be presumed to be responsible for such acts of tampering or diversion.

(Code 1978, § 12-16)

State law reference

Damaging, injuring or interfering with property of public utility companies, O.C.G.A. § 16-7-25.