18 U.S.C. § 494 – Contractors’ Bonds, Bids, and Public Records
This law makes it a federal crime to forge or use false documents to defraud the United States in connection with contracts or public records.
This statute applies to forged or falsified documents used in dealings with the federal government, particularly those connected to contracts, bids, guarantees, bonds, or official records. The focus is on documents intended to deceive the United States or its agencies.
The law covers both creating false documents and knowingly using or submitting them.
What the law prohibits.
A person violates this statute if they knowingly and for the purpose of defrauding the United States:
- Falsely make, alter, forge, or counterfeit a bond, bid, proposal, contract, guarantee, or security
- Forge or falsify an official bond, public record, affidavit, or other government-related writing
A person also violates this statute if they knowingly:
- Utter, publish, or possess a forged or counterfeit document with intent to present it as true
- Transmit or present a forged or altered document to a federal office or officer
Penalties.
A conviction under this statute can result in a fine, up to 10 years in federal prison, or both.
If you’re facing federal charges involving forged bids, contracts, or public records, call (314) 900-HELP or contact our criminal defense attorneys to discuss your defense.
