2025 Georgia Codes – Page 117

(a) As used in this Code section, the term “document” means information that is inscribed on a tangible
medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form and shall
include, but shall not be limited to, liens, encumbrances, documents of title, instruments relating to a security
interest in or title to real or personal property, or other records, statements, or representations of fact, law,
right, or opinion.
(b) Notwithstanding Code Sections 16-10-20 and 16-10-71, it shall be unlawful for any person to:
(1) Knowingly file, enter, or record any document in a public record or court of this state or of the United
States knowing or having reason to know that such document is false or contains a materially false, ficti-
tious, or fraudulent statement or representation; or
(2) Knowingly alter, conceal, cover up, or create a document and file, enter, or record it in a public record or
court of this state or of the United States knowing or having reason to know that such document has been
altered or contains a materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation.
(c) Any person who violates subsection (b) of this Code section shall be guilty of a felony and, upon convic-
tion thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment of not less than one nor more than ten years, a fine not to
exceed $10,000.00, or both.
(d) This Code section shall not apply to a court clerk, registrar of deeds, or any other government employee
who is acting in the course of his or her official duties.

(a) A person commits the offense of conspiracy to defraud the state when he conspires or agrees with another
to commit theft of any property which belongs to the state or to any agency thereof or which is under the
control or possession of a state officer or employee in his official capacity. The crime shall be complete when
the conspiracy or agreement is effected and an overt act in furtherance thereof has been committed, regard-
less of whether the theft is consummated. A person convicted of the offense of conspiracy to defraud the
state shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than five years.
(b) A person commits the offense of conspiracy to defraud a political subdivision when he conspires or agrees
with another to commit theft of any property which belongs to a political subdivision or to any agency
thereof or which is under the control or possession of an officer or employee of a political subdivision in his
official capacity. The crime shall be complete when the conspiracy or agreement is effected and an overt act
in furtherance thereof has been committed, regardless of whether the theft is consummated. A person con-
victed of the offense of conspiracy to defraud a political subdivision shall be punished by imprisonment for
not less than one nor more than five years.

A person who falsely holds himself or herself out as a peace officer, officer of the court, or other public officer
or employee with intent to mislead another into believing that he or she is actually such officer commits the
offense of impersonating an officer and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not more
than $1,000.00 or by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than five years, or both.