§ 435
Contracts in excess of specific appropriation
Official text prohibited actmental stateif conditionpenaltylegal term
Whoever, being an officer or employee of the United States, knowingly contracts for the erection, repair, or furnishing of any public building, or for any public improvement, to pay a larger amount than the specific sum appropriated for such purpose, shall be [1] or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.
History: (June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 703 (PDF, 39 MB); Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, §330016(1)(K), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147 (PDF, 52 MB).)
1 See 1994 Amendment note below.
Simplified explanation
It is a federal crime for a federal officer or employee to knowingly sign a contract to build, repair, or furnish a public building or public improvement that commits to paying more than the amount Congress specifically set aside for it.