Fla. Stat. 185.185
False, misleading, or fraudulent statements made to obtain public retirement benefits prohibited; penalty

(1)

It is unlawful for a person to willfully and knowingly make, or cause to be made, or to assist, conspire with, or urge another to make, or cause to be made, any false, fraudulent, or misleading oral or written statement or withhold or conceal material information to obtain any benefit available under a retirement plan receiving funding under this chapter.

(2)(a)

A person who violates subsection (1) commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.In addition to any applicable criminal penalty, upon conviction for a violation described in subsection (1), a participant or beneficiary of a pension plan receiving funding under this chapter may, in the discretion of the board of trustees, be required to forfeit the right to receive any or all benefits to which the person would otherwise be entitled under this chapter. For purposes of this paragraph, “conviction” means a determination of guilt that is the result of a plea or trial, regardless of whether adjudication is withheld.

(2)(a)

A person who violates subsection (1) commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

(b)

In addition to any applicable criminal penalty, upon conviction for a violation described in subsection (1), a participant or beneficiary of a pension plan receiving funding under this chapter may, in the discretion of the board of trustees, be required to forfeit the right to receive any or all benefits to which the person would otherwise be entitled under this chapter. For purposes of this paragraph, “conviction” means a determination of guilt that is the result of a plea or trial, regardless of whether adjudication is withheld.

Source: Section 185.185 — False, misleading, or fraudulent statements made to obtain public retirement benefits prohibited; penalty, https://www.­flsenate.­gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/0185.­185 (accessed Aug. 7, 2025).

185.01
Legislative declaration 185.02
Definitions 185.03
Municipal police officers’ retirement trust funds 185.04
Actuarial deficits not state obligations 185.05
Board of trustees 185.06
General powers and duties of board of trustees 185.07
Creation and maintenance of fund 185.08
State excise tax on casualty insurance premiums authorized 185.09
Report of premiums paid 185.10
Department of Revenue and Division of Retirement to keep accounts of deposits 185.11
Funds received by municipalities, deposit in retirement trust fund 185.12
Payment of excise tax credit on similar state excise or license tax 185.13
Failure of insurer to comply with chapter 185.015
Short title 185.16
Requirements for retirement 185.18
Disability retirement 185.19
Separation from municipal service 185.21
Death prior to retirement 185.23
Duties of Division of Retirement 185.25
Exemption from tax and execution 185.30
Depository for retirement fund 185.31
Municipalities and boards independent of other municipalities and boards and of each other 185.34
Disability in line of duty 185.35
Municipalities that have their own retirement plans for police officers 185.37
Termination of plan and distribution of fund 185.38
Transfer to another state retirement system 185.39
Applicability 185.50
Retiree health insurance subsidy 185.60
Optional participation 185.061
Use of annuity or insurance policies 185.085
Determination of local premium tax situs 185.105
Police and Firefighters’ Premium Tax Trust Fund 185.161
Optional forms of retirement income 185.162
Beneficiaries 185.185
False, misleading, or fraudulent statements made to obtain public retirement benefits prohibited 185.191
Lump-sum payment of small retirement income 185.221
Annual report to Division of Retirement 185.341
Discrimination in benefit formula prohibited

Current through Fall 2025

§ 185.185. False, misleading, or fraudulent statements made to obtain public retirement benefits prohibited; penalty's source at flsenate​.gov