CONDUCT SUBJECT TO PENALTY; AMOUNT OF PENALTY.

(a) A person who presents to the attorney general, or engages in conduct that results in the presentation to the attorney general of, an application for compensation under this chapter that contains a statement or representation the person knows to be false is liable to the attorney general for:

(1) the amount paid in reliance on the application, plus interest on that amount determined at the rate provided by law for legal judgments and accruing from the date on which the payment was made;

(2) payment of an administrative penalty in an amount not to exceed twice the amount paid as a result of the false application for benefits or claim for pecuniary loss; and

(3) payment of an administrative penalty in an amount not to exceed $10,000 for each item or service for which payment was claimed.

(b) In determining the amount of the penalty to be assessed under Subsection (a)(3), the attorney general shall consider:

(1) the seriousness of the violation;

(2) whether the person has previously submitted a false application for benefits or a claim for pecuniary loss; and

(3) the amount necessary to deter the person from submitting future false applications for benefits or claims for pecuniary loss.