Shortages in accounts; sureties.

A. The state auditor shall notify the appropriate surety on the official bond whenever an audit discloses a shortage in the accounts of any agency. Failure to notify the surety, however, does not release the surety from any obligation under the bond. B. Sureties upon official bonds of agencies are not released from liability on official bonds until the state auditor has certified to them that the accounts of the agency have been examined and found to be correct and a clearance of liability is given them. C. When necessary, the state auditor may institute legal proceedings against sureties upon official bonds of officers and employees. In such proceedings, the officer or employee may set up as a defense that errors have been committed by the state auditor in making charges against him, or that he has been refused proper and legal credit by the state auditor, but the burden of proof is upon the officer or employee to show such facts.