What is Liability for False Claims?
False Claims Liability: Safeguarding Public Funds in Montana Municipal Finance
Montana Code Annotated 7-6-4311 provides that:
• 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.
• The forfeiture and the penalty may be claimed in the same suit.
Montana Municipal Officials Handbooks 3rd Edition, Section 5.402