False Statement / 18 U.S.C. Sec. 1001(a)(2) is a United States federal law which makes it a crime to knowingly and willfully make any false or fraudulent statement in any matter within the jurisdiction of the executive, legislative, or judicial branch of the United States government. There are three types of false statements prohibited by this law: (1) false statements made during a federal investigation; (2) false statements made in any matter within the jurisdiction of the executive branch; and (3) false statements made in any matter within the jurisdiction of the legislative or judicial branch. Violations of this law can result in fines and imprisonment of up to five years.