.. ok.. once they found that you tempered the meter, they will first change a new meter for you... after that they will start to check ur usage for few months, then they will use that as a baseline and check since when the usage drop from previously statement it might go all the way back to 1 or 2 years. then will use that as a starting point and calculate the difference with the baseline and charge you accordingly. so try to control ur electrical usage for now till you get your penalty statement.