Knowingly making false statements, falsifying retirement-system records, or withholding required medical evidence is a misdemeanor; the board must fix record errors and adjust benefits, and the system may reduce overpaid benefits in some cases.
§2266. Protection against fraud A. It shall be a misdemeanor offense punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars, or imprisonment in the parish jail for a period not to exceed twelve months, or both, for any person who knowingly commits any of the following acts: (1) Makes any false statement or who falsifies or permits to be falsified any record or records of this retirement system in an attempt to defraud this system as a result thereof. (2) Fails to provide full and complete medical evidence of present physical condition or of any preexisting medical conditions upon application for membership in this system or upon submission of a claim for disability benefits. B.(1) Should any change or error in the records result in a member or beneficiary receiving benefits in an amount equal to more or less than he would have been entitled to receive from this system if the records had been correct, the board of trustees shall correct such error, and as far as practicable, shall adjust the payment of benefits in such a manner that the actuarial equivalent of the benefit to which such member or beneficiary was correctly entitled to receive shall be paid. (2) In the event that a benefit is paid for which the system was not obligated by law to pay, the system may cause the benefits that are being received by the erroneously paid party or any third party that is receiving benefits, or both, to be reduced by an amount equal to the sum of the erroneously paid benefit, provided that a connection can be established between the party or parties whose benefits are reduced and the member whose membership in the system gave rise to the erroneously paid benefit. Added by Acts 1979, No. 434, §1; Redesignated from R.S. 33:2162 by Acts 1991, No. 74, §3, eff. June 25, 1991; Acts 1999, No. 53, §1.