Whoever knowingly makes a false statement or misrepresents a material fact with intent thereby to defraud the state of any benefit or wrongfully to obtain or increase any benefit either for himself or herself or for any other person shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not less than twenty dollars ($20.00) nor more than fifty dollars ($50.00), or by imprisonment for not more than thirty (30) days, or by both a fine and imprisonment. Each false statement or representation shall constitute a separate and distinct offense.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-8-9