§5A-3-30. Statement of purpose; obtaining money and property under false pretenses or by fraud from the state; penalties; definition.

(a) The Legislature of the State of West Virginia hereby declares that the purpose of this statute is to promote equal and fair bidding for the purchase of commodities and services by the state, to eliminate fraud in the procurement of commodities and services by the state.

(b) It is unlawful for any person to obtain any services, money, goods or other property from the state under any contract made under the provisions of this article, by false pretense, token or representation, or by delivery of inferior commodities, with intent to defraud. A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be confined in a state correctional facility for not less than one year nor more than five years, and shall be fined not exceeding $10,000.

(c) It shall not be a defense to a charge under this section that: (1) The commodities or services purchased were accepted and used, or are being used, by the state; or (2) the commodities or services are functional or suitable for the purpose for which the commodities or services were purchased by the state notwithstanding the standard or specification issued by the purchasing agency or the division of purchasing.

(d) For the purpose of this section, "inferior commodities" includes, but shall not be limited to: (1) Any commodity which does not meet the specification or standard issued by the purchasing agency and the Division of Purchasing, or any change order approved by both the purchasing agency and Division of Purchasing; and (2) any commodity which is of a lesser quality, quantity or measure of any kind set forth within the specification or standard issued by the purchasing agency and the Division of Purchasing.