Virginia law § 18.2-213.1 criminalizes the fraudulent acquisition or retention of certification as a small, women-owned, or minority-owned business, with penalties including a Class 1 misdemeanor. It also prohibits obstructing investigations and fraudulent use of public funds allocated for these businesses. Additionally, § 18.2-213.2 makes maliciously filing false liens or encumbrances against another's property a Class 5 felony, requiring their removal from public records upon conviction.
Fraudulently obtaining a certification involves knowingly making false statements or misrepresentations to gain or retain certification as a small, women-owned, or minority-owned business.
Filing a false lien maliciously is a Class 5 felony, and the court will order the lien to be removed from public records upon conviction.
Yes, willfully obstructing or impeding an agency official during a certification investigation is a criminal offense under Virginia law.
Yes, exceptions are provided under § 18.2-498.3, which may alter penalties or procedures in specific circumstances.