House approves bill that would criminalize filing false liens

Filing false liens against government employees would become a felony under a bill passed Monday by the state House.

Rep. B.J. Pak, R-Lilburn, the author of House Bill 997, said during committee meetings that groups known as "sovereign citizens," who don't recognize laws or law enforcement authorities, can file false property liens or similar claims against police officers, judges or others.

A lien is a legal document claiming financial interest in a property such as a house. There have been cases in Georgia where people have filed false liens against law enforcement officers who have arrested them for violations of law. A lien can create credit problems or other legal troubles.