7-6-4311. Liability for false claims. (1) A person who knowingly presents or causes to be presented a false, fictitious, or fraudulent claim for allowance or payment to any city or town or its contractors forfeits the claim, including any portion that may be legitimate, and in addition is subject to a penalty of not to exceed $2,000 plus double the damages sustained by the city or town as a result of the false claim, including all legal costs.

Terms Used In Montana Code 7-6-4311

  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Knowingly: means only a knowledge that the facts exist which bring the act or omission within the provisions of this code. See Montana Code 1-1-204
  • Person: includes a corporation or other entity as well as a natural person. See Montana Code 1-1-201

(2)The forfeiture and the penalty may be claimed in the same suit.