Convictions for large-scale federal fraud — including mail fraud, wire fraud, healthcare fraud, and making false statements to the government — would be met with mandatory minimum prison sentences under a new bill sponsored on May 21 by U.S. Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA).
“Thanks to Democrat-led states like California and Minnesota, fraud is running wild in America. I am introducing the Zero Tolerance for Fraudsters Act to protect American taxpayers who are sick and tired of being taken advantage of,” Rep. Calvert said. “If Gavin Newsom and his liberal allies won’t do anything to help prevent these actions, then Congress needs to step up and ensure our federal prosecutors can lock up these criminals.”
The Zero Tolerance for Fraudsters Act, H.R. 8951, which has two Republican cosponsors, would set at least a one year prison sentence for anyone convicted of covered fraud offenses involving between $1 million and $5 million, while anyone convicted of fraud worth $5 million or more would have to serve at least five years.
The maximum sentences would be 10 years and 20 years, respectively, and judges would be restricted from imposing sentences below these minimums in relevant cases to maintain nationwide consistency and prevent lenient sentences, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Calvert’s office.
H.R. 8951 has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Judiciary Committee.