108.24 Penalties.

(1)

(a) Any person who knowingly makes a false statement or representation to obtain any benefit payment under this chapter, either for himself or herself or for any other person, may be penalized as provided in par. (b). Any penalty imposed under par. (b) is in addition to any penalty imposed under s. 108.04 (11) (bh).

(b) Whoever violates par. (a):

1. If the value of any benefits obtained does not exceed $2,500, is subject to a fine not to exceed $10,000 or imprisonment not to exceed 9 months, or both.

2. If the value of any benefits obtained exceeds $2,500 but does not exceed $5,000, is guilty of a Class I felony.

3. If the value of any benefits obtained exceeds $5,000 but does not exceed $10,000, is guilty of a Class H felony.

4. If the value of any benefits obtained exceeds $10,000, is guilty of a Class G felony.

(c) In any case involving more than one violation of par. (a), all such violations may be prosecuted as a single crime.

(2) Except as provided in sub. (2m) and s. 108.16 (8) (m), any person who knowingly makes a false statement or representation in connection with any report or as to any information duly required by the department under this chapter, or who knowingly refuses or fails to keep any records or to furnish any reports or information duly required by the department under this chapter, shall be fined not less than $100 nor more than $500, or imprisoned not more than 90 days or both; and each such false statement or representation and every day of such refusal or failure constitutes a separate offense.

(2m) Any employer described in s. 108.18 (2) (c) or engaged in the painting or drywall finishing of buildings or other structures who, after having previously been assessed an administrative penalty by the department under s. 108.221 (1), knowingly and intentionally provides false information to the department for the purpose of misclassifying or attempting to misclassify an individual who is an employee of the employer as a nonemployee shall be fined $1,000 for each employee who is misclassified, subject to a maximum fine of $25,000 for each violation. The department may refer violations of this subsection for prosecution by the department of justice or the district attorney for the county in which the violation occurred.

(3)

(a) Whoever does any of the following shall be fined not less than $100 nor more than $1,000 or imprisoned for not more than 90 days or both:

1. Makes a deduction from the wages of an employee because of liability for contributions or payments in lieu of contributions under this chapter or because of the employee's potential right to benefits.

2. Knowingly refuses or fails to furnish to an employee any notice, report or information duly required under this chapter by the department to be furnished to such employee.

3. Directly or indirectly, by promise of reemployment or by threat not to employ, to terminate, or not to reemploy or by any other means, attempts to induce an employee to:

a. Refrain from claiming or accepting benefits, participating in an audit or investigation by the department, or testifying in a hearing held under s. 108.09 or 108.10.

b. Waive any right under this chapter.

4. Discriminates or retaliates against an individual because the individual claims benefits, participates in an audit or investigation by the department under this chapter, testifies in a hearing under s. 108.09 or 108.10, or exercises any other right under this chapter.

(b) Each violation of this subsection constitutes a separate offense.

(4) Any person who, without authorization of the department, permits inspection or disclosure of any record relating to the administration of this chapter that is provided to the person by the department under s. 108.14 (7) (a), (b), or (bm) and any person who, without authorization of the commission, permits inspection or disclosure of any record relating to the administration of this chapter that is provided to the person by the commission under s. 108.14 (7) (a), shall be fined not less than $25 nor more than $500 or may be imprisoned in the county jail for not more than one year or both. Each such unauthorized inspection or disclosure constitutes a separate offense.

History: 1973 c. 247; 1983 a. 8; 1991 a. 89; 2005 a. 86; 2009 a. 28, 287, 288; 2011 a. 236; 2013 a. 20; 2015 a. 334; 2017 a. 147; 2017 a. 365 s. 111.