Cal. Gov't Code § 12650
(b) For purposes of this article:
(1) “Claim” means any request or demand, whether under a contract or otherwise, for money, property, or services, and whether or not the state or a political subdivision has title to the money, property, or services that meets either of the following conditions:
(B) Is made to a contractor, grantee, or other recipient, if the money, property, or service is to be spent or used on a state or any political subdivision’s behalf or to advance a state or political subdivision’s program or interest, and if the state or political subdivision meets either of the following conditions:
(3) “Knowing” and “knowingly” mean that a person, with respect to information, does any of the following:
(C) Acts in reckless disregard of the truth or falsity of the information.
Proof of specific intent to defraud is not required.