Federal criminal laws make it a crime for you to make a false statement in order to obtain unemployment compensation for federal service. The offense is punishable by both a fine and possible time in federal prison. Please contact a skilled criminal defense attorney now if you are facing charges of a federal crime.
What is the Federal Law on Making False Statements to Obtain Unemployment Compensation?
18 USC 1919 is the federal statute on the crime of making false statements to obtain unemployment compensation. Per this law, it is a criminal offense if you do either of the following to obtain unemployment compensation for federal service:
- Make a false statement or representation of a material fact, or
- Knowingly fail to disclose a material fact.
Note that this statute only applies to unemployment compensation in relation to federal service (for example, working for a governmental agency). It does not apply to the situation where you tell a lie to get paid unemployment compensation in relation to working for a private employer. However, you could get charged with a crime for the latter under applicable state law.
What are the Penalties?
A violation of 18 USC 1919 is punishable by:
- A maximum fine of $1,000, and/or
- Custody in federal prison for up to one year.
Can a Defendant Raise a Legal Defense?
Yes. You have the right to challenge a false statement charge with a legal defense. A common defense is for you to show that your statement was in fact true. You can also try to prove that you made a statement with the reasonable belief that it was not a lie.
Your criminal defense attorney can also raise the defense that you were entrapped. Entrapment is a defense often raised when an accused is charged following an undercover police sting. The defense says that you only committed a crime because a police officer lured you into doing so. It is an acceptable defense provided that you show that you only made a false statement because of the entrapment.
Your defense lawyer can also try to show that the police violated your rights, maybe by:
- Arresting you without probable cause,
- Coercing a confession, or
- Conducting an unlawful search and seizure.
If any of the above, your criminal defense attorney can move to have your charges reduced or dismissed.
Contact Black & Askerov for Help
While a defendant can raise a legal defense to challenge a charge involving illegally receiving unemployment compensation, it will take a skilled criminal defense attorney to raise the best defense. The experienced criminal defense attorneys at Black & Askerov have over 30 years of combined experience defending clients on a wide variety of federal charges. Our Seattle criminal defense lawyers also have the skill and commitment that makes all the difference in these cases. Contact us now to get the legal help you deserve!
* Main image at top by freepik
