Rely on Our False Statement Charges Attorney
You may be charged under the False Statements Accountability Act if you have been accused of misleading a government agent. If prosecuted, you may be fined $250,000 and imprisoned for a maximum of five years. Additionally, you will have to live with the stigma that comes with being a convicted felon.
As a federal defense attorney who has helped numerous clients facing false statement charges, Peter Katz understands the implications of having a federal conviction on your record. We represent your interests and do whatever is necessary to help you avoid a conviction. If you face false statement charges, now is the time to contact our office.
U.S.C. §1001
Under the False Statements Accountability Act (FSAA), Title 18 of the United States Code §1001, an individual may be fined, imprisoned for five years, or both if the defendant knowingly or willfully within the purview of the United States government does any of the following:
- Falsifies, conceals, or covers up, through a trick or scheme, a material fact
- Makes any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation
- Uses a false document containing the same to support the false statement or representation
What is a ‘False Statement?’
Under FSAA, a false statement is any fictitious or fraudulent statement or representation that deceives the United States government or federal agent. The statement may involve leaving out information (omission) or a false representation that is pivotal in helping the accused carry out illegal activity or defraud another person (material fact). The false representation may be written or oral.
Examples of False Statements
- Falsified financial or bank statements
- Providing false information on a mortgage application
- Falsified tax returns
- Lying to the FBI about your involvement in an event
- Submitting false claims to a health care benefit program, such as Medicare or Medicaid
Determining Criminal Intent
The person who makes the false statement must have done so “knowingly and willfully.” The courts generally consider a defendant to act “knowingly” when the individual knew of the falsity of a statement. On the other hand, “willfully” means that an act was done deliberately, with the accused intending to perform an illicit act.
What the Prosecution Has to Prove
To convict a defendant of the offense of false statements, the government must demonstrate the following:
- The statement is made “knowingly and willfully”
- A statement is false
- The statement covers up a material fact
- A statement made involves a matter pertaining to the federal government or federal agency
How Our False Statement Charges Attorney Can Help
Given the ample resources and manpower of the federal government, a criminal investigation can be conducted within several weeks. If you believe you are the target of a federal investigation, you must act quickly to defend your rights.
No matter the strength of the prosecution’s evidence, you need skilled and experienced representation on your side. As a former federal prosecutor, Peter Katz knows the tactics a U.S. Attorney (federal prosecutor) will employ to obtain a conviction. In addition to developing a defense strategy, we work with expert witnesses who can clear up any technicalities to help strengthen your case.
Speak with a False Statement Charges Attorney Today
Understandably, being accused of interfering with a federal investigation can leave you terrified and hopeless. Furthermore, if you believed that the statement was true, the charges against you may be baseless.
If you are facing such charges, we want to hear from you. To learn more or schedule your consultation, feel free to contact my office online. I offer free initial consultations.