§3802 False Claims and Statements; Liability

Summary

Makes people legally responsible if they file or cause to be filed a claim or a written statement to the government that they know or should know is false, leaves out important facts they must include, or asks for payment for goods or services not provided. It also covers false written statements that come with a sworn or signed promise that they are true. The government generally cannot use the rule that creates an extra money penalty unless it already paid on the claim. For claims described in 3801(a)(3)(C), any extra money charged cannot be more than double the value of the property, services, or money wrongfully withheld from the authority. If an agency finds there is enough evidence to believe someone is liable, or finds them liable, that finding may be used to start administrative or contract actions but does not automatically decide whether the person is responsible for suspension or debarment under federal procurement rules.