PART VII.  LOANSHARKING

§511.  Loansharking; penalty

A.  A person is guilty of loansharking when he knowingly solicits, or receives any money or anything of value, including services, as interest or compensation for a loan, or as forbearance of any right to money or other property, at a rate exceeding forty-five percentum per annum or the equivalent rate for a longer or shorter period.  This Section shall not apply to any transaction under Title 6, Title 9, or Sections 1751 through 1770 of Title 37 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950 or under R.S. 9:3500.  

B.  Whoever commits the crime of loansharking is guilty of a felony and shall be punished by a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars or imprisoned for not less than one year nor more than five years with or without hard labor, or both.  

C.  For the purposes of this Part, the term "person" shall mean any individual, partnership, corporation, or combination of individuals.  

Added by Acts 1979, No. 165, §1; Acts 1986, No. 878, §1; Acts 2004, No. 743, §3, eff. Jan. 1, 2005.