39-51-3202. Making false statement or representation or failing to disclose material fact in order to obtain or increase benefits -- criminal penalty. (1) A person who, in order to obtain or increase for personal gain or for any other person benefits under this chapter or under an employment security law of any other state or territory or the federal government, knowingly makes a false statement or representation or knowingly fails to disclose a material fact is guilty of a crime under 45-7-203 and 45-7-210, and the department may cause criminal proceedings to be initiated against the person.

(2) A person will be required to repay to the department an amount as determined by 39-51-3201(1)(a).

(3) For purposes of this section, restitution awarded under this section must include a sum equal to the amount wrongfully received, plus the department may assess a penalty not to exceed 100% of the amount wrongfully received. All money accruing from the penalty must be deposited in the federal special revenue account. Money deposited in that account may be appropriated to the department to be used to detect and collect unpaid taxes and overpayments of benefits to the extent that federal grant revenues are inadequate for these purposes. Money in the account not appropriated for these purposes must be transferred by the department to the unemployment insurance trust fund at the end of each fiscal year.