§ 287. — False, fictitious or fraudulent claims.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 18USC287]
TITLE 18--CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
PART I--CRIMES
CHAPTER 15--CLAIMS AND SERVICES IN MATTERS AFFECTING GOVERNMENT
Sec. 287. False, fictitious or fraudulent claims
Whoever makes or presents to any person or officer in the civil,
military, or naval service of the United States, or to any department or
agency thereof, any claim upon or against the United States, or any
department or agency thereof, knowing such claim to be false,
fictitious, or fraudulent, shall be imprisoned not more than five years
and shall be subject to a fine in the amount provided in this title.
(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 698; Pub. L. 99-562, Sec. 7, Oct. 27,
1986, 100 Stat. 3169.)
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., Sec. 80 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321,
Sec. 35, 35 Stat. 1095; Oct. 23, 1918, ch. 194, 40 Stat. 1015; June 18,
1934, ch. 587, 48 Stat. 996; Apr. 4, 1938, ch. 69, 52 Stat. 197).
Section 80 of title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., was divided into two
parts. That portion making it a crime to present false claims was
retained as this section. The part relating to false statements is now
section 1001 of this title.
To clarify meaning of ``department'' words ``agency'' and ``or
agency'' were inserted after it. (See definitions of ``department'' and
``agency'' in section 6 of this title.)
Words ``or any corporation in which the United States of America is
a stockholder'' which appeared in two places were omitted as unnecessary
in view of definition of ``agency'' in section 6 of this title.
The words ``five years'' were substituted for ``ten years'' to
harmonize the punishment provisions of comparable sections involving
offenses of the gravity of felonies, but not of such heinous character
as to warrant a 10-year punishment. (See sections 914, 1001, 1002, 1005,
1006 of this title.)
Reference to persons causing or procuring was omitted as unnecessary
in view of definition of ``principal'' in section 2 of this title.
Minor changes in phraseology were made.
Amendments
1986--Pub. L. 99-562 substituted ``imprisoned not more than five
years and shall be subject to a fine in the amount provided in this
title'' for ``fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned not more than
five years, or both''.
Increased Penalties for False Claims in Defense Procurement
Pub. L. 99-145, title IX, Sec. 931(a), Nov. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 699,
provided that: ``Notwithstanding sections 287 and 3623 of title 18,
United States Code, the maximum fine that may be imposed under such
section for making or presenting any claim upon or against the United
States related to a contract with the Department of Defense, knowing
such claim to be false, fictitious, or fraudulent, is $1,000,000.''
[Section 931(c) of Pub. L. 99-145 provided that section 931(a) is
applicable to claims made or presented on or after Nov. 8, 1985.]
Section Referred to in Other Sections
This section is referred to in sections 24, 1345 of this title;
title 10 section 2324; title 12 section 1833a; title 41 section 256.
