Sometimes, money gets tight and people find themselves resorting to extreme measures to keep themselves afloat financially in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
However, anyone who attempts to receive public funds from the state through dishonest means can find themselves facing a fraud against the state charge.
About Fraud Against the State in Tulsa
In Tulsa, Oklahoma, it is illegal for someone to make a false, fictitious or fraudulent claim for payment of public funds, such as welfare, if they know the claim is false, fictitious or fraudulent.
Anyone accused of fraud against the state can face a felony charge, two years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines. (Ok. Stat. Title 21 Sec. 358A, 359)
It is also illegal for anyone seeking employment with the state to make a materially false, fictitious or fraudulent statement or representation on an employment application, knowing such statement or representation to be materially false, fictitious or fraudulent.
Anyone found guilty of this crime will face a misdemeanor charge, up to one year in prison and up to $1,000 in fines.
For either crime, “false” means documents wholly or partly fabricated or materially altered.
“Fictitious” means imaginatively created past facts.
“Fraudulent” means a false suggestion of facts or the suppression of the truth brought about through trick, false appearance, or through any other unfair way in order to cheat.
Defending a False Claims Charge
In order for someone to be convicted of a false claim or fraud against the state charge, a prosecutor must prove each of the following facts beyond a reasonable doubt:
First, any person making/presenting/(causing the making/presenting of) a;
Second, false/fictitious/fraudulent claim for payment of money from (the State of Oklahoma)/(any department/ agency of the State of Oklahoma);
Third, known by him/her to be false/fictitious/fraudulent.
It is, therefore, a defense that the claims were not false, fictitious, or fraudulent or that the defendant did not know that the claim was false, fictitious, or fraudulent.
Free Consultation: Tulsa Felony Defense Attorney
A conviction of false, fictitious or fraudulent claims against the state can carry lengthy prison sentences and fines.
If you or someone you know is faced with this charge, please contact a Tulsa criminal defense attorney to discuss your available legal options.
Simply call our team at the Tulsa Criminal Defense Law Firm at (918) 256-3400 for a free, no-hassle, confidential consultation.
If you prefer a Tulsa criminal defense lawyer to call you or reach you by email, then please send us a message.