Louisiana § RS 51:944 - Deceptive certification of a small and emerging business; penalties
Full text of Louisiana Louisiana Civil Code § RS 51:944 — Deceptive certification of a small and emerging business; penalties, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ RS 51:944. Deceptive certification of a small and emerging business; penalties
A. The crime of deceptive certification of a small and emerging business is the act of any applicant who does any one or all of the following:
(1) Fraudulently obtains or retains certification as a small and emerging business under R.S. 51:942 or any similar program conducted or funded by the state or a political subdivision thereof.
(2) Willfully makes a false statement, whether by affidavit, report, or other representation, to an official or employee of the department with the intent to influence the certification or denial of certification of any business entity as a small and emerging business under R.S. 51:942 or any similar program conducted or funded by the state or a political subdivision thereof.
(3) Fraudulently obtains money reserved for, allocated to, or available to a small and emerging business pursuant to R.S. 51:942 or any similar program conducted or funded by the state or a political subdivision thereof.
B. Any employee of the department or any other public servant who, with the intent to defraud, knowingly commits any of the acts provided for in Subsection A of this Section or knowingly assists an applicant in committing any such acts shall be guilty of the crime of deceptive certification of a small and emerging business and shall be subject to any penalties or other court orders provided for in this Section.
C. Whoever commits the crime of deceptive certification of a small and emerging business shall be fined not more than five thousand dollars, or imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not more than two years, or both.
D. In addition to any fine imposed under this Section the court, as a condition of any suspension of an order of imprisonment, shall require that the offender make restitution to the entity from which such money was obtained, in an amount equal to all or part of the amount of money that was obtained in violation of this Section.
Acts 2001, No. 9, §9, eff. July 1, 2001.
Source: official Louisiana text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Louisiana § RS 51:944
What does Louisiana Civil Code § RS 51:944 cover?
Section RS 51:944 ("Deceptive certification of a small and emerging business; penalties") is part of the Louisiana Civil Code, the codified statutory law of Louisiana. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Louisiana § RS 51:944?
A common citation format is "Louisiana Civil Code § RS 51:944" (Louisiana). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Louisiana law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Louisiana official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Louisiana attorney.
How does Louisiana § RS 51:944 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Louisiana can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Louisiana.