§ 27-3-702 — Obtaining benefits by fraud; disqualification of benefits; penalties

(a) No person shall, for himself or any other person,
knowingly make a false statement or misrepresentation or
knowingly fail to disclose a material fact to obtain or increase
benefits or other payments under this act or other state or
federal law. Any person violating this section is guilty of:
(i) A misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more
than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), imprisonment for not
more than ninety (90) days, or both, if the amount of benefits
obtained in violation of this section is less than one thousand
dollars ($1,000.00); or
(ii) A felony punishable by imprisonment for not more
than five (5) years, a fine of not more than five thousand
dollars ($5,000.00), or both, if the amount of benefits obtained
under fraud is one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or greater.
(b) Upon conviction the court shall require the defendant
to make restitution to the department in the amount of benefits
or other payments improperly paid due to the defendant's fraud.
Each false statement, misrepresentation or failure to disclose a
material fact is a separate offense. This section shall not
preclude prosecution under any other applicable law.
(c) In addition to the penalties provided by this section,
a person convicted under this section or any other applicable
law shall be disqualified from receiving benefits in any week
beginning within a two (2) year period immediately following
conviction.