45-7-210. False claim to public agency. (1) A person commits an offense under this section if the person knowingly presents for allowance, for payment, or for the purpose of concealing, avoiding, or decreasing an obligation to pay a false or fraudulent claim, bill, account, voucher, or writing to a public agency, public servant, or contractor authorized to allow or pay valid claims presented to a public agency.

(2) (a) Except as provided in subsection (2)(b), a person convicted of an offense under this section shall be fined not to exceed $1,500 or imprisoned in the county jail for a term not to exceed 6 months, or both.

(b) If a false or fraudulent claim is knowingly submitted as part of a common scheme or if the value of the claim or the aggregate value of one or more claims exceeds $1,500, 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.