45-7-210. False claims to public agencies. (1) A person commits an offense under this section if the person purposely and knowingly presents for allowance or for payment any false or fraudulent claim, bill, account, voucher, or writing to any public agency, public servant, or contractor authorized to allow or pay claims presented to public agencies if genuine.
     (2) (a) Except as provided in subsection (2)(b), a person convicted of an offense under this section shall be fined not to exceed $1,000 or imprisoned in the county jail for a term not to exceed 6 months, or both.
     (b) If false or fraudulent claims are submitted purposely and knowingly as part of a common scheme or if the value of the claim or the aggregate value of all claims exceeds $1,000, a person convicted of an offense under this section shall be fined not to exceed $10,000 or imprisoned in the state prison for a term not to exceed 10 years, or both.

     History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 151, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 8, Ch. 581, L. 1983; amd. Sec. 10, Ch. 616, L. 1993; amd. Sec. 13, Ch. 397, L. 1999.