Section 131.5. Redress of injuries to property  


Latest version.
  • (a) Whenever complaint is
      made to any commanding officer that willful damage has been done to  the
      property of any person or that his property has been wrongfully taken by
      members  of the organized militia he may, subject to such regulations as
      may  be  prescribed  pursuant  to  this  chapter,  convene  a  board  to
      investigate  the complaint. The board shall consist of from one to three
      officers and shall have, for the purpose of such investigation, power to
      summon witnesses and examine them upon oath or affirmation,  to  receive
      depositions  or  other  documentary  evidence, and to assess the damages
      sustained against the responsible parties.  The  assessment  of  damages
      made  by  such  board shall be subject to the approval of the commanding
      officer, and in the amount approved by him shall be charged against  the
      pay  of  the  offenders.  The order of such commanding officer directing
      charges herein authorized shall be conclusive on any disbursing  officer
      for the payment by him to the injured parties of the damages so assessed
      and approved.
        (b) Where the offenders cannot be ascertained, but the organization or
      detachment  to  which  they  belong  is  known, the adjutant general may
      direct that the amount of damages assessed and approved be paid  to  the
      injured  parties  from  the  military  fund  of the unit or units of the
      organized militia to which such offenders belong.