False statements

False statements generally refers to the United States federal false statements statute, contained in 18 U.S.C. Section 1001. ^[1] This statute is used in many contexts. Most commonly, prosecutors use this statute to reach (1) cover-up crimes such as perjury, false declarations, and obstruction of justice; and (2) in government fraud cases. ^[2]

Statutory Elements

The statute criminalizes any person who, "in any matter within the jurisdiction of the executive, legislative, or judicial branch of the Government of the United States, knowingly and willfully":^[3]

(1) falsifies, conceals, or covers up by any trick, scheme, or device, a material fact;
(2) makes any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation; or
(3) makes or uses any false writing or document knowing the same to contain any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or entry.

References