1. Any public official or authority who, in the exercise of their duties, commits forgery shall be punished with imprisonment for three to six years, a fine of six to twenty-four months, and special disqualification from holding public office for a period of two to six years. This includes:
1. Altering a document in any of its essential elements or requirements.
2. Simulating a document, in whole or in part, in such a way as to mislead as to its authenticity.
3. Falsifying the participation of persons who did not participate in an act, or attributing to those who did participate statements or declarations different from those they actually made.
4. Falsifying the facts.
2. The same penalties as those indicated in the preceding paragraph shall apply to any official of a religious denomination who engages in any of the conduct described in the preceding paragraphs, with respect to acts and documents that may have an effect on the status of persons or on civil matters.