Chap. 271.—An ACT to punish the making or use of false statements to
obtain property or credit. {H B 143]

Approved March 16, 1918.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That any
person who shall knowingly make or cause to be made, either directly
or indirectly, or through any agency, any false statement in writing,
with intent that it shall be relied upon, concerning the financial
condition or means or ability of himself to pay, or of any other
person for whom. he is acting, or of any firm or corporation in
Which he is interested or for which he is acting, for the purpose of
procuring, for his own benefit. or for the benefit of such person,
irm or corporation, the delivery of personal property. the pay-
nent of cash, the making of a loan or credit, the extension of a
redit, the discount of an account receivable, or the making, accept-
ince, discount, sale or endorsement of a bill of exchange or promis-
ory note; or who knowing that a false statement in writing con-
erning the financial condition or’ means or ability of himself to
vay or of any such person, firm or corporation has been made,
rrocures with like intent, upon the faith thereof, for his own bene-
it, or for the benefit of such person, firm, or corporation, any
uch delivery, payment, loan, credit extension, discount making,
cceptance, sale or endorsement, shall, if the value of the thing or
he amount of the loan, credit or benefit procured-is fifty dollars
r more and fails to pay for such loan, credit, or benefit, so pro-
ured, be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction
hereof be fined not more than’ five hundred dollars or confined in
he jail not more than one year, or if the value be less than that
sum, be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and be fined not more
than one hundred dollars or confined in jail not more than thre
months.