What might be a consequence of lying to the department?

Lying to the department can lead to criminal prosecution because providing false information can be seen as a form of fraud or misrepresentation, which is a serious offense under the law. When individuals provide false statements, especially in situations involving licensing or regulatory compliance, they can be charged with crimes that carry significant legal consequences, including fines and potential jail time.

Moreover, regulatory bodies often have strict policies to ensure the integrity of their operations, and lying undermines public trust. Depending on the severity of the lie, the department would be mandated to take legal action and pursue prosecution to enforce compliance and uphold the law.

Consequences like minor penalty fees, loss of benefits, or extended training hours might be more administrative in nature but would not necessarily carry the same level of severity as criminal prosecution, which is often reserved for more egregious actions like dishonesty.