If the district attorney refuses or neglects to so account for and pay over money received by him, he is liable for such refusal or neglect upon his official bond. The county treasurer shall bring an action against him in the name of the county for the recovery thereof and may recover in such action, in addition to the amount so received, 50 percent thereon by way of damages. No order of the board of supervisors is necessary to bring the action. The reasonable attorney’s fees and expenses of the county treasurer in such action are a county charge.

(Added by Stats. 1947, Ch. 424.)