§1920 — Title 18 Crimes and Criminal Procedure | U.S. Code

Summary

It makes it a crime to knowingly and on purpose lie, hide facts, or use false reports when applying for or getting compensation or other benefits under subchapter I or III of chapter 81 of title 5. If convicted, a person can be fined, put in prison for up to 5 years, or both. If the false benefits taken are $1,000 or less, the jail term is up to 1 year, or a fine, or both.

Title 18, §1920

Crimes and Criminal Procedure — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

Whoever knowingly and willfully falsifies, conceals, or covers up a material fact, or makes a false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation, or makes or uses a false statement or report knowing the same to contain any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or entry in connection with the application for or receipt of compensation or other benefit or payment under subchapter I or III of chapter 81 of title 5, shall be guilty of perjury, and on conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine under this title, or by imprisonment for not more than 5 years, or both; but if the amount of the benefits falsely obtained does not exceed $1,000, such person shall be punished by a fine under this title, or by imprisonment for not more than 1 year, or both.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

DerivationU.S. CodeRevised Statutes andStatutes at Large 5 U.S.C. 789.Sept. 7, 1916, ch. 458, § 39, 39 Stat. 749. Oct. 14, 1949, ch. 691, § 103(b), 63 Stat. 855. The word “That” in the Act of Sept. 7, 1916, is omitted as unnecessary. The words “under section 8106 of title 5” are substituted for “under section 754 of this title” to reflect the codification of the section in title 5, United States Code. The words “a claim for compensation under subchapter I of chapter 81 of title 5” are substituted for “any claim for compensation” for clarity. The words “or both” are substituted for “or by both such fine and imprisonment”. Minor changes in phraseology are made to conform to the style of title 18.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2002—Pub. L. 107–273 substituted “employees’ ” for “employee’s” in section catchline. 1996—Pub. L. 104–294 substituted “fine under this title” the first place it appears for “fine of not more than $250,000” and “fine under this title” the second place it appears for “fine of not more than $100,000”. 1994—Pub. L. 103–333 substituted “False statement or fraud to obtain Federal employee’s compensation” for “False statement to obtain Federal employees’ compensation” as section catchline and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “Whoever makes, in an affidavit or report required by section 8106 of title 5 or in a claim for compensation under subchapter I of chapter 81 of title 5, a statement, knowing it to be false, is guilty of perjury and shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.” Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $2,000”.

§1920 False statement or fraud to obtain Federal employees’ compensation