Section 2281.
Cal. Corporations Code - CORP § 2281.
in effectAs used in this chapter:
(a)
“Agent” means a person who was an officer or director of a corporation, as defined in subdivision (e), at the time the fraudulent acts occurred, was named in a final criminal restitution order in connection with the fraudulent acts, and was acting in the person’s capacity as the corporation’s officer or director when committing the fraudulent acts.
(b)
“Application” means a request for payment from the fund submitted to the Secretary of State pursuant to this chapter.
(c)
“Claimant” means an aggrieved person who resides in the state at the time of the fraud
and who submits an application pursuant to this chapter.
(d)
“Complaint,” for the purpose of an application based on a criminal restitution order, means the facts of the underlying transaction or transactions upon which the criminal restitution order is based.
(e)
“Corporation” means a domestic corporation as defined by Section 162 or 2509 or a foreign corporation that is qualified to transact business in California pursuant to Section 2105.
(f)
“Court of competent jurisdiction” means a state or federal court situated in California.
(g)
“Final judgment” means a judgment, arbitration award, or criminal restitution order for which appeals have been exhausted or
for which the period for appeal has expired, enforcement of which is not barred by the order of any court or by any statutory provision, which has not been nullified or rendered void by any court order or statutory provision, and for which the claimant has not otherwise been fully reimbursed. The following are examples of final judgments:
(1)
A civil judgment that has been entered against a corporation for fraud, misrepresentation, or deceit, with the intent to defraud, and includes findings of facts and conclusions of law.
(2)
If the matter was submitted to arbitration, a copy of the arbitration decision and any other documentation supporting the arbitration award. An arbitration award against a corporation for conduct constituting fraud, misrepresentation, or deceit, with the intent
to defraud, that includes findings of fact and conclusions of law rendered in accordance with the rules established by the American Arbitration Association or another recognized arbitration body, and in accordance with Sections 1280 to 1294.2, inclusive, of the Code of Civil Procedure where applicable, and where the arbitration award has been confirmed and reduced to judgment pursuant to Section 1287.4 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
(3)
A criminal restitution order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction against a corporation, or an agent of the corporation, for fraud, misrepresentation, or deceit, with the intent to defraud, pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 1202.4 of the Penal Code or Section 3663 of Title 18 of the United States Code. An application for payment from the fund that is based on a criminal restitution order shall
comply with all of the requirements of this chapter.
(h)
“Fund” means the Victims of Corporate Fraud Compensation Fund created by Section 2280.
(i)
“Judgment debtor” means a corporation or agent against which a judgment, arbitration award, or criminal restitution order has been entered for conduct constituting intentional fraud.
References
referencesCal. Penal Code - PEN § 1202.4.
referencesCal. Corporations Code - CORP § 162.
referencesCal. Corporations Code - CORP § 2509.
referencesCal. Corporations Code - CORP § 2105.
referencesCal. Corporations Code - CORP § 1280.
referencesCal. Corporations Code - CORP § 1294.2.
referencesCal. Corporations Code - CORP § 1287.4.
referencesCal. Corporations Code - CORP § 2280.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026