MassachusettsFraudAct1908

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FRAUDULENT USE ACT

Massachusetts General Laws, 1908, Chapter 280; Enacted March 25, 1908

AN ACT RELATIVE TO THE FRAUDULENT USE
OF THE NAMES, TITLES OR COMMON DESIGNATIONS
OF FRATERNITIES, SOCIETIES AND UNIONS.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

Section 1. Whoever, wilfully, by color or aid of any false token or writing, or other false pretense or false statement, verbal or written, or without authority of the grand or supreme governing lodge, council, union or other governing body hereinafter mentioned, obtains the signature of any person to any written application, or obtains any money or property for any alleged or pretended degree, or for any alleged or pretended membership in any fraternity, association, society, order, organization or union having a grand or supreme governing lodge, council, union or other governing body in this commonwealth, or in any subordinate lodge or body thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than one year or by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

Section 2. Whoever, in a newspaper or other publication, or in any written or printed letter; notice, matter or device, without authority of the grand or supreme governing lodge, council, union or other governing body hereinafter mentioned, fraudulently uses or aids in any way in the use of the name, title or common designation of any fraternity, association, society, order, organization or union which has a grand or supreme governing lodge, council, anion or other governing body, having priority in such use in this commonwealth, or any name, title or designation so nearly resembling the same as to be calculated or likely to deceive; and whoever, without such authority, fraudulently publishes, sells, circulates or distributes any written or printed letter, notice, matter or device, in any way soliciting members for such fraternity, association, society, order, organization or union, or for any alleged or pretended fraternity, association, society, order, organization or union, using any such name, title, designation, or near resemblance thereto; and whoever therein or thereby in any way, without such authority, fraudulently offers to sell, confer, communicate or give information where, of whom or by what means any degree or work, in whole or in part, of such fraternity, association, society, order, organization or union, or of any alleged or pretended fraternity, association, society, order, organization or union using any such name, title or designation or near resemblance thereto, can or may be obtained, conferred or communicated, shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than one year or by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

Acts And Resolves Passed By The General Court, 1908; Page 237ff.


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