Civil penalty for receiving benefit by reason of fraud, making fraudulent statement, knowingly concealing material fact, or engaging in prohibited conduct; criminal action not required.

Sec. 12. (1) A person who receives a benefit that the person is not entitled to receive by reason of fraud or making a fraudulent statement or knowingly concealing a material fact, or who engages in any conduct prohibited by this statute, shall forfeit and pay to the state the full amount received, and for each claim a civil penalty of not less than $5,000.00 or more than $10,000.00 plus triple the amount of damages suffered by the state as a result of the conduct by the person. (2) A criminal action need not be brought against the person for that person to be civilly liable under this section.