For a business to function effectively, all of its paperwork needs to contain accurate information and progress smoothly through the appropriate channels. If an employee is caught falsifying documents—or is accused of doing so—the consequences can be catastrophic, including jail time, financial losses, and reputational damage.
It’s vital to take this situation seriously. At Dughi, Hewit & Domalewski, our attorneys work closely with clients to address potential document falsification and identify the right strategies to protect your business, your reputation, and your financial security.
Contact us today for a consultation.
What Counts as Falsifying Documents?
Falsifying or forging documents—which involves intentionally modifying any business record or document with the goal of deceiving another person—is considered a white-collar crime. It may also include intentionally passing on documents that the individual knows to be false.
Anyone who intentionally modifies any business record or document is considered to be falsifying documents. If someone accidentally alters or misrecords information, it can create problems, but it is not regarded as a falsification of documents.
Similarly, documents that don’t count as legal records can’t be falsified.
Examples of falsifying documents
There are numerous examples of falsified documents. Typically, what they all have in common is that an individual made changes to a document with the intent to defraud.
Some commonly falsified documents include, but aren’t limited to:
- Tax returns and income statements
- Personal checks
- Banking records
- Financial documents
- Medical claims
- Business records
- Educational credentials
- Immigration documents
- ID cards
- Birth certificates
Technically, false statements don’t count as falsification of records unless they are accompanied by some form of documentation that contains the falsehood. However, lying to an employer or any representative of the government is an improper practice akin to falsifying documents.
Legal Consequences of Falsifying Documents
Falsifying documents can have both civil and criminal consequences, and may be punishable as a felony.
The criminal penalties for falsifying documents can include fines and jail time, depending on the circumstances. The crime of falsifying documents is prosecuted under fraud statutes. And fraud cases are taken seriously, especially when any portion of the government is one of the victims of the fraud.
The civil consequences for falsifying documents depend on who was defrauded and the consequences of the fraud. According to the False Claims Act enacted in 1863, anyone who defrauds the government is liable for three times the loss suffered in addition to a penalty linked to inflation.
When an employee defrauds the business that they work for, they may be fired. Even when the document that was falsified is relatively meaningless, the action often results in too great a loss of trust for the employer to continue employing them.
Many businesses will sue for any egregious fraud, especially if the company suffers serious losses as a result. If you are accused of falsifying information, you should consult with a falsifying documents lawyer in NJ as soon as possible to protect your rights.
Consult with an Attorney
When a person creates false business records, they put themselves, their fellow employees, and the company they work for in peril. If you suspect that someone at your company is falsifying records—or if you have been accused of falsifying records—take the situation seriously.
Contact the experienced business attorneys at Dughi, Hewit & Domalewski to schedule your consultation with our team today.
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