2018 US Code
Title 18 - Crimes and Criminal Procedure
Part I - Crimes
Chapter 9 - Bankruptcy
Sec. 157 - Bankruptcy fraud

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Citation 18 U.S.C. § 157 (2018)
Section Name §157. Bankruptcy fraud
Section Text

A person who, having devised or intending to devise a scheme or artifice to defraud and for the purpose of executing or concealing such a scheme or artifice or attempting to do so—

(1) files a petition under title 11, including a fraudulent involuntary petition under section 303 of such title;

(2) files a document in a proceeding under title 11; or

(3) makes a false or fraudulent representation, claim, or promise concerning or in relation to a proceeding under title 11, at any time before or after the filing of the petition, or in relation to a proceeding falsely asserted to be pending under such title,


shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.

Source Credit

(Added Pub. L. 103–394, title III, §312(a)(1)(B), Oct. 22, 1994, 108 Stat. 4140; amended Pub. L. 109–8, title III, §332(c), Apr. 20, 2005, 119 Stat. 103; Pub. L. 111–327, §2(b), Dec. 22, 2010, 124 Stat. 3562.)

Editorial Notes AMENDMENTS

2010—Par. (1). Pub. L. 111–327, §2(b)(1), struck out "bankruptcy" after "involuntary".

Pars. (2), (3). Pub. L. 111–327, §2(b)(2), struck out ", including a fraudulent involuntary bankruptcy petition under section 303 of such title" after "title 11".

2005—Pars. (1) to (3). Pub. L. 109–8, which directed insertion of ", including a fraudulent involuntary bankruptcy petition under section 303 of such title" after "title 11", was executed by making the insertion after "title 11" wherever appearing, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2005 AMENDMENT

Amendment by Pub. L. 109–8 effective 180 days after Apr. 20, 2005, and not applicable with respect to cases commenced under Title 11, Bankruptcy, before such effective date, except as otherwise provided, see section 1501 of Pub. L. 109–8, set out as a note under section 101 of Title 11.

EFFECTIVE DATE

Section effective Oct. 22, 1994, and not applicable with respect to cases commenced under Title 11, Bankruptcy, before Oct. 22, 1994, see section 702 of Pub. L. 103–394, set out as an Effective Date of 1994 Amendment note under section 101 of Title 11.

Publication Title United States Code, 2018 Edition, Title 18 - CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
Category Bills and Statutes
Collection United States Code
SuDoc Class Number Y 1.2/5:
Contained Within Title 18 - CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
PART I - CRIMES
CHAPTER 9 - BANKRUPTCY
Sec. 157 - Bankruptcy fraud
Contains section 157
Date 2018
Laws In Effect As Of Date January 14, 2019
Positive Law Yes
Disposition standard
Statutes at Large References 108 Stat. 4140
119 Stat. 103
124 Stat. 3562
Public Law References Public Law 103-394, Public Law 109-8, Public Law 111-327
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