§70.9. Government benefits fraud

            A. The crime of government benefits fraud is the act of any person who, with intent to defraud the state or any person or entity through any government benefits administered by any state department, agency, or political subdivision, does any of the following:

            (1) Presents for allowance or payment any false or fraudulent claim for furnishing services, merchandise, or payments.

            (2) Knowingly submits false information for the purpose of obtaining greater compensation than that to which he is legally entitled for furnishing services, merchandise, or payments.

            (3) Knowingly submits false information for the purpose of obtaining authorization for furnishing services, merchandise, or payments.

            (4) Knowingly makes or causes to be made a false statement or representation of material fact on an application or form for assistance, goods, services, or payments when the false statement or representation is made for the purpose of determining the person's eligibility to receive benefits or payments.

            (5) Knowingly conceals or fails to disclose any material fact affecting the applicant's or recipient's initial or continued eligibility to receive benefits or payments.

            B. Whoever commits the crime of government benefits fraud shall be imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not more than five years, may be fined not more than ten thousand dollars, or both imprisoned and fined.

            C. For the purpose of this Section, government benefits include any record, voucher, payment, money or thing of value, good, service, right, or privilege provided or administered by a state government entity.

            Acts 2018, No. 707, §1.