§ 50-7-709 — Misrepresentation to obtain benefits - Penalty

(a) It is an offense for any person or entity to knowingly make a false statement or representation or fail to disclose a material fact, to obtain or increase any benefit or other payment under this chapter, either for the person's own benefit or for the benefit of any other person. (b) Each false statement or representation or failure to disclose a material fact constitutes a separate offense. (c) All prosecutions for offenses defined by this section shall be commenced within two (2) years after the commission of the offense. (d) (1) A violation of this section is a Class C misdemeanor. (2) A second or subsequent violation of this section is a Class E felony; provided, that the second or subsequent violation of this section occurs after a conviction has been obtained for the previous violation. (3) A first or subsequent violation of this section where the person has a prior conviction for a similar offense in another jurisdiction is a Class E felony; provided, that the second or subsequent violation occurs after a conviction has been obtained for the previous violation. (4) Subdivision (d)(2) or (d)(3) shall only apply if at least one (1) of the required offenses occurs on or after January 1, 2010.

Legislative History

Acts 1947, ch. 29, § 16; C. Supp. 1950, § 6901.16 (Williams, § 6901.40); Acts 1963, ch. 176, § 7; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 50-1350; Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 113; 2009, ch. 479, § 4.