Provider Fraud — Criminal Penalty

TITLE 56 PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND WELFARE CHAPTER 2 PUBLIC ASSISTANCE LAW 56-227A. Provider fraud — Criminal penalty. It shall be unlawful for any provider or person, knowingly, with intent to defraud another, by means of a false statement or representation or by deliberate concealment of any material fact, or any other fraudulent scheme or device, to: (a)  Present or cause to be presented for allowance or payment any false or fraudulent claim for furnishing services or supplies; (b)  Attempt to obtain or to obtain authorization for furnishing services or supplies; or (c)  Attempt to obtain or to obtain compensation from public funds greater than that to which he is legally entitled for services or supplies furnished or purportedly furnished. Any provider or person who violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a felony and shall be subject to a term of imprisonment not to exceed fifteen (15) years, or a fine not to exceed fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000), or both, and shall be ordered to make restitution to the department or any other person for any financial loss sustained as a result of a violation of this section. Each instance of violation shall be considered a separate offense, and nothing in this section shall prohibit or preclude a provider or person from being prosecuted under any other provision of the criminal code.