The bill amends M.S. 609.7475, subdivision 3, the penalty section for Fraudulent or Otherwise Improper Financing Statements. Under current law it is a gross misdemeanor to file or promote the filing of a record with the intent to harass or defraud another person. The penalty is enhanced to a five-year felony if the person commits the offense with the intent to:
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influence a juror;
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retaliate against a judicial officer, prosecutor, defense attorney, or officer of the court, because of that person’s performance in a judicial proceeding;
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retaliate against a sheriff or deputy sheriff because of that person’s performance of official duties; and
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retaliate against a county recorder because of that person’s performance of official duties.
The bill adds police officers, chiefs of police, and employees of the Department of Corrections or a local correctional agency to the list of victims that would enhance the penalty to a felony.
The bill is effective August 1, 2014, and applies to crimes committed on or after that date.
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