Document: 348 U.S. 503 75 S.Ct. 504 99 L.Ed. 594 UNITED STATES of America, Appellant,v.Ernest King BRAMBLETT. No. 159. Argued Feb. 7, 1955. Decided April 4, Mr. Charles F. Barber, Washington, D.C., for appellant. Edward Bennett Williams, appellee. Justice REED delivered the opinion Court. 1 On November 10, 1953, an 18-count indictment was returned in United States District Court Columbia, charging appellee, a former member Congress, with violations 18 U.S.C. § 1001, U.S.C.A. 1001.1 During course trial judgment acquittal ordered on counts 8 through indictment. The jury verdict guilty remaining 7 which charged appellee having falsely and fraudulently represented to Disbursing Office House Representatives that named woman entitled compensation as his official clerk. granted appellee's motion arrest judgment, holding he had not falsified material fact "within jurisdiction any department or agency States" since within meaning statute. statute does afford protection legislative judicial branches Government. Government brought this case here direct appeal pursuant 3731, 3731. Reference evolution 1001 will assist determining correctness decision below. A detailed analysis appears court. 120 F.Supp. 857, 858. 2 Section its origin passed almost 100 years ago wake spate frauds upon Act March 2, 1863, 12 Stat. 696, 'An prevent punish Frauds States', made it criminal offense 3 'any person land naval forces * (to) make cause be made, present presented payment approval by officer civil military service States, claim against thereof, knowing such false, fictitious, fraudulent *.' 4 This provision clearly covers presentation false claims component prohibition is broad, although application limited personnel. 5 False statements were proscribed following clause same section these terms: 6 who shall, purpose obtaining, aiding claim, make, use, used, bill, receipt, voucher, entry, roll, account, statement, certificate, affidavit, deposition, contain statement entry'. It noted there no specification group whom made. States' punishable might reasonably have been applied here. There would justification giving narrower scope, for, so long indicated purpose, punishable. From 1863 1934 coverage at various times extended, but change could taken restricting scope executive branch.2 9 words urged crucial first appeared revision 1934. 48 996. No portion statute, amended read: 10 'or whoever shall knowingly willfully falsify conceal cover up trick, scheme, device fact, representations, use used fictitious matter corporation America stockholder; (Italics supplied.) 11 amendment deleted all inserted italicized phrase. Under prior statutes possibility restrictive interpretation read out falsifications officers branches. Did insertion new phrase exclude those branches? We think not. largely product urging Secretary Interior.3 Senate Report, S. Rep. 1202, 73d Cong., 2d Sess., indicates broaden reach only papers connection Government, also nonmonetary involved 'hot-oil' shipments. greater variety meant included.4 indication either committee reports5 congressional debates6 way restricted. certainly suggestion interpreted agencies reached.7 Apparently simply compensate language purpose—to indicate government organs reached. 13 1948 put into form.8 62 683. became 287 Title retained form without significant change. 'false statements' section. Except housekeeping changes are particular significance, deletion reference corporations, transposition 'in matter' beginning section, has intended work substantive thus supposed broad least agencies. 14 rely restrict 1001. provides: 15 'As title: 16 'The term 'department' means one departments enumerated 5, unless context shows describe executive, legislative, government. 17 'agency' includes department, independent establishment, commission, administration, authority, board bureau proprietary interest, more sense.' falsification held thought meet definitions 6. seemed court 'that 18, (formerly part old 35) provides penalties 'makes presents civil, military, false", whereas language. page 861. argued Treasury Department, misstatements require funds from Treasury. Or, viewing Office, argued, does, body 'authority' definition 'agency.' do rest our interpretations. calls unrestricted interpretation. enforced history. violence Congress limit departments. leave penalty. development, 'department,' context, difference between can understood light That history dispels attaching significance difference. 19 construed strictly proposition citation authority. But mean every must given narrowest possible complete disregard legislature.9 20 below accordingly reversed. 21 Reversed. 22 CHIEF JUSTICE, BURTON HARLAN took consideration case. 'Whoever, falsifies, conceals makes uses writing document fined than $10,000 imprisoned five years, both.' codification December 1, 1873, approved June 22, 1874, R.S. 5438, extended 'every person'—not merely May 30, 1908, 35 555, changed penalties, 1909, 1088, 5438 redesignated 35. turn revised 1918, 40 1015. corporations stock; if 'for intent cheating swindling defrauding well obtaining claim. For discussion Act, see v. Gilliland, 312 86, 93—95, 61 518, 522—523, 85 598. In Cohn, 270 339, 46 251, 70 616, 1918 did proscribe customs collector where defraud money property. After amendment, however, sustained defendants falsifying reports required filed under 'Hot-Oil' February 1935, 715 et seq. stated remove 'restriction cases involving pecuniary property loss government.' 93, 522. S.Rep. 1202; H.R.Rep. 1463, Sess. 78 Cong.Rec. 8136, 11270, 11513. Romney 83 U.S.App.D.C. 150, 167 F.2d 521, Sergeant Arms convicted presenting accounts concealing shortages reporting General Accounting created establishment 'independent control direction Comptroller States.' 42 23, 31 41, 41. 1938, divided subsections, we concerned left unchanged. 52 197. Cf. ex rel. Marcus Hess, 317 537, 63 379, 87 443; Spivey Cir., 109 181.

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