(a) A person who makes or uses in support of a contract claim under this chapter, a misrepresentation, or who practices or attempts to practice a fraud, at any stage of proceedings relating to a procurement or contract claim under this chapter
- (1) forfeits all claims relating to that procurement or contract; and
- (2) is liable to the state for reimbursement of all sums paid on the claim, for all costs attributable to review of the claim, and for a civil penalty equal to the amount by which the claim is misrepresented.
- (b) The procurement officer, commissioner or court shall make specific findings of misrepresentation, attempted fraud, or fraud before declaring a forfeiture under (a)(1) of this section.
- (c) Suits to recover costs and penalties under (a)(2) of this section must be commenced within six years after the discovery of the misrepresentation, fraud, or attempted fraud.
- (d) A person who in a matter relating to a procurement or a contract claim under this chapter makes a misrepresentation to the state through a trick, scheme, or device is guilty of a class C felony.
- (e) In this section, “misrepresentation” means a false or misleading statement of material fact, or conduct intended to deceive or mislead concerning material fact, whether it succeeds in deceiving or misleading.