(a) A person is subject to a civil penalty of not less than $2,500 or more than $25,000 for each application for compensation that: (1) is filed under this subchapter by the person or is filed under this subchapter as a result of conduct of the person; and (2) contains a material statement or representation that the person knows to be false. (b) The attorney general shall institute and conduct the suit to collect the civil penalty authorized by this article on behalf of the state. (c) A civil penalty recovered under this article shall be deposited to the credit of the compensation to victims of crime fund. (d) The civil penalty authorized by this article is in addition to any other civil, administrative, or criminal penalty provided by law. (e) In addition to the civil penalty authorized by this article, the attorney general may recover expenses incurred by the attorney general in the investigation, institution, and prosecution of the suit, including investigative costs, witness fees, attorney's fees, and deposition expenses.
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Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 779, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. |