HB 193 -- Fraud

Sponsor:  Hosmer

This bill creates a cause of action for defrauding the state of
Missouri.  Any person who knowingly presents a false claim,
bill, or receipt to the state, or knowingly makes or uses a
false record to conceal, avoid, or decrease an obligation to the
state will be liable to the state for a civil fine of up to
$10,000, plus 3 times the actual damages incurred by the state.
The Office of the Attorney General will investigate such
claims.  However, an individual may bring suit in the name of
the state.  The Attorney General has 180 days to join the suit.

If the Attorney General joins the suit, the action will be
pursued solely by the Attorney General, with notice provided to
the individual.  The court may award the individual a reasonable
amount for disclosing evidence the state did not have when the
action was brought, up to 25% of the proceeds collected by the
state.

If the Attorney General does not join the suit and the
individual plaintiff prevails, the individual may be awarded
between 25% and 35% of the civil fines and damages assessed to
the defendant, as well as the individual's attorney fees and
court costs.  The state will not be bound by any act of the
individual nor be liable for the individual's attorney fees or
court costs.

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated November 26, 2001 at 11:42 am