18 U.S.C. 1001 False Statements

18 U.S. Code § 1001 False Statement

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, whoever, in any matter within the jurisdiction of the executive, legislative, or judicial branch of the Government of the United States, knowingly and willfully—

(1) falsifies, conceals, or covers up by any trick, scheme, or device a material fact;

(2) makes any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation; or

(3) makes or uses any false writing or document knowing the same to contain any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or entry;

shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years or, if the offense involves international or domestic terrorism (as defined in section 2331), imprisoned not more than 8 years, or both. If the matter relates to an offense under chapter 109A, 109B, 110, or 117, or section 1591, then the term of imprisonment imposed under this section shall be not more than 8 years.

(b) Subsection (a) does not apply to a party to a judicial proceeding, or that party’s counsel, for statements, representations, writings or documents submitted by such party or counsel to a judge or magistrate in that proceeding.

(c) With respect to any matter within the jurisdiction of the legislative branch, subsection (a) shall not apply to—

(1) any claim for payment or allowance under any Act of Congress or any portion of an Act of Congress which is administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, except in any case where the claim for payment or allowance is made in relation to a proceeding before a court-martial or in relation to the service of any person as a member of the Armed Forces of the United States; or

(2) any statement or representation made or any writing or document used in relation to any such claim.

This statute outlines the illegal nature of knowingly and willfully making false statements, concealing information, or submitting fraudulent documents in matters within the jurisdiction of any branch of the U.S. government, detailing the penalties for such offenses and specifying exceptions to its application.