What is the New York Crime of “Offering a False Instrument for Filing”?

Many fraud crimes in New York are prosecuted under New York Penal Law Section 175.30 or .35, Offering a False Instrument for Filing. One commits a crime under this statute when submitting, with intent to defraud, to any governmental office any document  that contains false information. One simple example of offering a false instrument for filing is submitting false application  for Medicaid  or another public  benefits program.  New York city criminal courts hear hundreds of such cases every year. These crimes are also prosecuted as Grand Larceny and Welfare Fraud. Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the second degree is a class A Misdemeanor or Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the first degree is a class E Felony punishable by up to 4 years in prison.