False statements influencing foreign government
Official text prohibited actmental stateif conditionpenaltylegal term
Whoever, in relation to any dispute or controversy between a foreign government and the United States, and knowingly makes any untrue statement, either orally or in writing, under oath before any person authorized and empowered to administer oaths, which the affiant has knowledge or reason to believe will, or may be used to influence the measures or conduct of any foreign government, or of any officer or agent of any foreign government, to the injury of the United States, or with a view or intent to influence any measure of or action by the United States or any department or agency thereof, to the injury of the United States, shall be or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both.
History: (June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 744 (PDF, 39 MB); Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, §330016(1)(K), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147 (PDF, 52 MB).)
Simplified explanation
It is a federal crime to willfully and knowingly make a false statement under oath, in a dispute between a foreign government and the United States, that the person knows or believes may be used to sway a foreign government or the U.S. government to the harm of the United States.