Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry congratulates state Rep. Sherman Mack, R-Albany, on passage of the welfare fraud bill.
BATON ROUGE – The state House of Representatives gave final approval April 13 to a Livingston Parish lawmaker’s bill to fight criminalize fraud involving state government benefits.
House Bill 88 by state Rep. Sherman Mack passed the House Chambers on a 61-37 vote.
“This bill creates the crime of government benefits fraud for any person or entity who attempts to defraud any state department or agency administering benefits,” said Rep. Mack, R-Albany.
Mack’s efforts drew praise from Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, who has targeted government fraud since he took office.
“I commend Representative Mack for taking this issue head-on,” Landry said. “He has continuously fought for legislation that respects the rule of law while fighting waste, fraud, abuse, and misuse in government.”
HB 88 creates the crime of government benefits fraud. This specific crime is defined as any individual, who has the intention of defrauding the state or any person or entity through any government benefits program.
To actively commit this crime, one must present for payment any false claim for furnishing services or merchandise, and knowingly submit false information for purpose of obtaining greater compensation than to which he is legally entitled, Mack said.
The crime also includes one making false statement or fails to disclose material facts on an application for assistance, goods, or services.
“HB 88 is yet another step the Louisiana Legislature has taken to strengthen penalties against government benefit fraudsters, which will protect both our taxpayers and our most needy who rely on assistance,” Landry said. “I am thrilled the House passed this common-sense, public safety measure, and I look forward to the Senate sending it to the Governor’s desk as quickly as possible.”
The individual who commits the crime of government benefits fraud will be imprisoned for not more than five years, may be fined not more than $20,000, or both.
Government benefits include any record, voucher, payment, money, or thing of value, goods, services, rights, or privileges provided or administered by a state government entity.
“My commitment to be a good steward of taxpayer money continues,” Mack said. “The more we can eliminate fraud, the more funds can go to those who truly deserve it.”
