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This part implements the Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act of 1986, 31 U.S.C. 3801-3812 (PFCRA). The PFCRA provides the NEA, and other Federal agencies, with an administrative remedy to impose civil penalties and assessments against you if you make or cause to be made false, fictitious, or fraudulent claims or written statements to the NEA. The PFCRA also provides due process protections to you if you are subject to administrative proceedings under this part.
For the purposes of this part—
Authority means the National Endowment for the Arts.
Authority Head means the Chairperson/head of the National Endowment for the Arts or the Chairperson/authority head/s designee.
Benefit means anything of value, including but not limited to, any advantage, preference, privilege, license, permit, favorable decision, ruling, status, or loan guarantee.
Defendant means any person alleged in a complaint to be liable for a civil penalty or assessment pursuant to the PFCRA.
Government means the United States Government.
Group of related claims submitted at the same time means only those claims arising from the same transaction (such as a grant, loan, application, or contract) which are submitted together as part of a single request, demand, or submission.
Initial decision means the written decision of the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), and includes a revised initial decision issued following a remand or a motion for reconsideration.
Investigating official means:
(1) The NEA Inspector General; or
(2) A designee of the NEA Inspector General.
Knows or has reason to know means that a person:
(1) Has actual knowledge that the claim or statement is false, fictitious, or fraudulent; or
(2) Acts in deliberate ignorance of the truth or falsity of the claim or statement; or
(3) Acts in reckless disregard of the truth or falsity of the claim or statement.
Makes, whenever it appears, must include the terms presents, submits, and causes to be made, presented, or submitted. As the context requires, making or made must likewise include the corresponding forms of such terms.
Person means any individual, partnership, corporation, association, or private organization, and includes the plural of that term.
Representative means an attorney who is in good standing of the bar of any State, Territory, or possession of the United States, or of the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any other individual designated in writing by you.
Reviewing official means the General Counsel of the NEA or the General Counsel's designee.
(a) Claim means any request, demand, or submission:
(1) Made to the NEA for property, services, or money (including money representing grants, loans, insurance or benefits);
(2) Made to a recipient of property or services from the NEA, or to a party to a contract with the NEA for property or services if the United States:
(i) Provided such property or services;
(ii) Provided any portion of the funds for the purchase of such property or services; or
(iii) Will reimburse such recipient or party for the purchase of such property or services;
(3) Made to the NEA for the payment of money (including money representing grants, loans, insurance, or benefits) if the United States:
(i) Provided any portion of the money requested or demanded; or
(ii) Will reimburse such recipient or party for any portion of the money paid on such request or demand; or
(4) Made to the NEA which has the effect of decreasing an obligation to pay or account for property, services, or money.
(b) A claim can relate to grants, loans, insurance, or other benefits, and includes the NEA guaranteed loans made by participating lenders.
(c) Each voucher, invoice, claim form, or individual request or demand for property, services, or money constitutes a separate claim.
A claim is made to the NEA, when such claim is actually made to:
(a) An agent, fiscal intermediary, or other person or entity, including any State or political subdivision of a State, acting for or on behalf of the NEA; or
(b) A recipient of property, services, or money from the Government, or the party to a contract with the NEA.
(a) A claim submitted to the NEA is “false” if it:
(1) Is false, fictitious or fraudulent;
(2) Includes or is supported by a written statement which asserts or contains a material fact which is false, fictitious, or fraudulent;
(3) Includes or is supported by a written statement which is false, fictitious or fraudulent because it omits a material fact that you have a duty to include in the statement; or
(4) Is for payment for the provision of property or services which you have not provided as claimed.
(b) [Reserved]
(a) A statement means any written representation, certification, affirmation, document, record, or accounting or bookkeeping entry made with respect to a claim (including relating to eligibility to make a claim) or to obtain the approval or payment of a claim (including relating to eligibility to make a claim); or with respect to (including relating to eligibility for) a contract, bid or proposal for a contract with the NEA, or a grant, loan or other benefit from the NEA, including applications and proposals for such grants, loans, or other benefits, if the United States Government provides any portion of the money or property under such contract or for such grant, loan or benefit, or if the Government will reimburse any party for any portion of the money or property under such contract or for such grant, loan, or benefit.
(b) A statement is made, presented, or submitted to the NEA when such statement is actually made to an agent, fiscal intermediary, or other person or entity acting for or on behalf of the NEA, including any State or political subdivision of a State, acting for or on behalf of the NEA; or the recipient of property, services, or money from the Government; or the party to a contract with the NEA.
(a) A statement submitted to the NEA is a false statement if you make the statement, or cause the statement to be made, while knowing or having reason to know that the statement:
(1) Asserts a material fact that is false, fictitious, or fraudulent; or
(2) Is false, fictitious, or fraudulent because it omits a material fact that you have a duty to include in the statement and contains or is accompanied by an express certification or affirmation of the truthfulness and accuracy of the contents of the statement.
(b) Each written representation, certification, or affirmation constitutes a separate statement.
If you make false claims or false statements, you may be subject to civil penalties and assessments under the PFCRA.
(a) In addition to any other penalties that may be prescribed by law, the PFCRA may subject you to the following:
(1) A civil penalty of not more than $14,307 for each false, fictitious or fraudulent statement or claim; and
(2) If the NEA has made any payment, transferred property, or provided services in reliance on a false claim, you are also subject to an assessment of not more than twice the amount of the false claim. This assessment is in lieu of damages sustained by the NEA because of the false claim.
(b) Each false, fictitious, or fraudulent claim for property, services, or money is subject to a civil penalty regardless of whether such property, services, or money is actually delivered or paid.
(c) No proof of specific intent to defraud is required to establish liability under this section for either false claims or false statements.
(d) [Reserved]
(e) In any case in which it is determined that more than one person is liable for making a false, fictitious, or fraudulent claim or statement under this section, each such person may be held liable for a civil penalty and assessment under this section.
(f) In any case in which it is determined that more than one person is liable for making a claim under this section on which the Government has made payment (including transferred property or provided services), an assessment may be imposed against any such person or jointly and severally against any combination of persons.
The Inspector General, or his/her designee, is the investigating official responsible for investigating allegations that you have made a false claim or statement.
(a) Yes. The Inspector General has authority to issue administrative subpoenas for the production of records and documents. If an investigating official concludes that a subpoena is warranted, he/she may issue a subpoena.
(1) The issued subpoena must notify you of the authority under which it is issued and must identify the records or documents sought;
(2) The investigating official may designate a person to act on his or her behalf to receive the documents sought; and
(3) You are required to tender to the investigating official, or the person designated to receive the documents, a certification that:
(i) The documents sought have been produced;
(ii) Such documents are not available and the reasons therefore; or
(iii) Such documents, suitably identified, have been withheld based upon the assertion of an identified privilege.
(b) Nothing in this section precludes or limits an investigating official's discretion to refer allegations within the Department of Justice for suit under the False Claims Act or other civil relief, or to defer or postpone a report or referral to the reviewing official to avoid interference with a criminal investigation or prosecution.
(c) Nothing in this section modifies any responsibility of an investigating official to report violations of criminal law to the appropriate component of the Department of Justice.
(a) If the investigating official concludes that an action under this part is warranted, the investigating official submits a report containing the findings and conclusions of the investigation to the reviewing official.
(b) If the reviewing official determines that the report provides adequate evidence that you have made a false, fictitious or fraudulent claim or statement, the reviewing official shall transmit to the Attorney General written notice of an intention to refer the matter for adjudication, with a request for approval of such referral. This notice will include the reviewing official's statements concerning:
(1) The reasons for the referral;
(2) The claims or statements upon which liability would be based;
(3) The evidence that supports liability;
(4) An estimate of the amount of money or the value of property, services, or other benefits requested or demanded in the false claim or statement;
(5) Any exculpatory or mitigating circumstances that may relate to the claims or statements known by the reviewing official or the investigating official; and
(6) A statement that there is a reasonable prospect of collecting an appropriate amount of penalties and assessments.
(c) If, at any time, the Attorney General or his or her designee requests in writing that this administrative process be stayed, the authority head must stay the process immediately. The authority head may order the process resumed only upon receipt of the written authorization of the Attorney General.
The NEA may issue a complaint:
(a) If the Attorney General, or his/her designee, approves the referral of the allegations for adjudication in a written statement; and
(b) In a case of submission of false claims, if the amount of money or the value of property or services demanded or requested in a false claim, or a group of related claims submitted at the same time, does not exceed $150,000.
(a) A complaint is a written statement giving you notice of the specific allegations being referred for adjudication and of your right to request a hearing regarding those allegations.
(b) The reviewing official may join in a single complaint, false claims or statements that are unrelated, or that were not submitted simultaneously, so long as each claim made does not exceed the amount provided in 31 U.S.C. 3803(c).
(c) The complaint must state that the NEA seeks to impose civil penalties, assessments, or both, against you and will include:
(1) The allegations of liability against you, including the statutory basis for liability, identification of the claims or statements involved, and the reasons liability allegedly arises from such claims or statements;
(2) The maximum amount of penalties and assessments for which you may be held liable;
(3) A statement that you may request a hearing by filing an answer and may be represented by a representative;
(4) Instructions for filing such an answer; and
(5) A warning that failure to file an answer within 30 days of service of the complaint will result in imposition of the maximum amount of penalties and assessments.
(d) The reviewing official must serve you with any complaint and, if you request a hearing, provide a copy to the ALJ assigned to the case.
(a) The complaint must be served on you as an individual directly, on a partnership through a general partner, and on corporations or on unincorporated associations through an executive officer or a director. Service may also be made on any person authorized by appointment or by law to receive process for you or a legal entity.
(b) The complaint may be served either by:
(1) Registered or certified mail; or
(2) Personal delivery by anyone 18 years of age or older.
(c) The date of service is the date of personal delivery or, in the case of service by registered or certified mail, the date of postmark.
(a) Proof of service is established by the following:
(1) When service is made by registered or certified mail, the return postal receipt will serve as proof of service.
(2) When service is made by personal delivery, an affidavit of the individual serving the complaint, or written acknowledgment of your receipt or of receipt by a representative, will serve as proof of service.
(b) When served with the complaint, the serving party must also serve you with a copy of this part and 31 U.S.C. 3801-3812.
(a) You may respond to the complaint by filing an answer with the reviewing official within 30 days of service of the complaint. A timely answer will be considered a request for an oral hearing.
(b) In the answer, you—
(1) Must admit or deny each of the allegations of liability contained in the complaint (a failure to deny an allegation is considered an admission);
(2) Must state any defense on which you intend to rely;
(3) May state any reasons why you believe the penalties, assessments, or both should be less than the statutory maximum; and
(4) Must state the name, address, and telephone number of the person authorized by you to act as your representative, if any.
(a) If you are unable to file a timely answer which meets the requirements set forth in § 1149.17(b), you may file with the reviewing official a general answer denying liability, requesting a hearing, and requesting an extension of time in which to file a complete answer. A general answer must be filed within 30 days of service of the complaint.
(b) If you file a general answer requesting an extension of time, the reviewing official must promptly file with the ALJ the complaint, the general answer, and the request for an extension of time.
(c) For good cause shown, the ALJ may grant you up to 30 additional days within which to file an answer meeting the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section. You must file the answer with the ALJ and serve a copy on the reviewing official.
(a) When the reviewing official receives an answer, he/she must simultaneously file the complaint, the answer, and a designation of the NEA's representative with the ALJ.
(b) When the ALJ receives the complaint and the answer, he/she will promptly serve a notice of hearing upon you and the NEA representative, in the same manner as the complaint. At the same time, the ALJ must send a copy of such notice to the reviewing official or his designee.
The notice must include:
(a) The tentative time, place, and nature of the hearing;
(b) The legal authority and jurisdiction under which the hearing is being held;
(c) The matters of fact and law to be asserted;
(d) A description of the procedures for the conduct of the hearing;
(e) The name, address, and telephone number of your representative and the NEA's representative; and
(f) Such other matters as the ALJ deems appropriate.
Unless the parties agree otherwise, the ALJ must serve the notice of oral hearing within six years of the date on which the claim or statement is made.
(a) If you do not file any answer within 30 days after service of the complaint, the reviewing official may refer the complaint to the ALJ.
(b) Once the complaint is referred, the ALJ will promptly serve on you a notice that he/she will issue an initial decision.
(c) The ALJ will assume the facts alleged in the complaint are true. If such facts establish liability under the statute, the ALJ will issue an initial decision imposing the maximum amount of penalties and assessments allowed under the PFCRA.
(d) Except as otherwise provided in this section, when you fail to file a timely answer, you waive any right to further review of the penalties and assessments imposed in the initial decision. This initial decision will become final and binding 30 days after it is issued.
(a) You may file a motion with the ALJ asking him/her to reopen the case at any time before an initial decision becomes final. The ALJ may only reopen a case if, in this motion, he/she determines that you set forth extraordinary circumstances that prevented you from filing a timely answer. The initial decision will be stayed until the ALJ makes a decision on your motion to reopen. The reviewing official may respond to the motion.
(b) If the ALJ determines that you have demonstrated extraordinary circumstances excusing your failure to file a timely answer, the ALJ will withdraw the initial decision and grant you an opportunity to answer the complaint.
(c) A decision by the ALJ to deny your motion to reopen a case is not subject to review or reconsideration.
(a) You may appeal the decision denying a motion to reopen to the authority head by filing a notice of appeal with the authority head within 15 days after the ALJ denies the motion. The timely filing of a notice of appeal must stay the initial decision until the authority head decides the issue.
(b) If you file a timely notice of appeal with the authority head, the ALJ must forward the record of the proceeding to the authority head.
(c) The authority head must decide promptly, based solely on the record previously before the ALJ, whether extraordinary circumstances excuse your failure to file a timely answer.
(d) If the authority head decides that extraordinary circumstances excused your failure to file a timely answer, the authority head must remand the case to the ALJ with instructions to grant you an opportunity to answer.
(e) If the authority head decides that your failure to file a timely answer is not excused, the authority head must reinstate the initial decision of the ALJ, which becomes final and binding upon the parties 30 days after the authority head issues such a decision.
Time will be tolled in the following instances:
(a) If you are granted a 30 day extension to file your answer, the 30 days will be tolled to the six year oral hearing limitation thereby providing the ALJ six years and 30 days to serve the notice of oral hearing as discussed in § 1149.18(c);
(b) If a notice of appeal is filed as discussed in § 1149.24(a);
(c) If a motion is filed to disqualify a reviewing official or an ALJ disqualifies himself/herself as discussed in § 1149.31(c); or
(d) In any other instance in which time is suspended or delayed as a result of an appeal, request for reconsideration, untimely filing, or extensions.
The hearing is a formal proceeding conducted by the ALJ during which you will have the opportunity to dispute liability, present testimony, and cross-examine witnesses.
(a) An ALJ, who will be retained by the NEA, serves as the presiding officer at all hearings. ALJs are selected by the Office of Personnel Management. The ALJ is assigned to cases in rotation so far as practicable, and may not perform duties inconsistent with their duties and responsibilities as administrative law judges.
(b) The ALJ must conduct a fair and impartial hearing, avoid delay, maintain order, and assure that a record of the proceeding is made.
(a) The ALJ has the authority to—
(1) Set and change the date, time, and place of the hearing upon reasonable notice to the parties;
(2) Continue or recess the hearing, in whole or in part, for a reasonable period of time;
(3) Hold conferences to identify or simplify the issues or to consider other matters that may aid in the expeditious disposition of the proceeding;
(4) Administer oaths and affirmations;
(5) Issue subpoenas requiring the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents at depositions or at hearings;
(6) Rule on motions and other procedural matters;
(7) Regulate the scope and timing of discovery;
(8) Regulate the course of the hearing and the conduct of representatives and parties;
(9) Examine witnesses;
(10) Receive, rule on, exclude, or limit evidence;
(11) Upon motion of a party, take official notice of facts;
(12) Upon motion of a party, decide cases, in whole or in part, by summary judgment where there is no disputed issue of material fact;
(13) Conduct any conference, argument or hearing on motions in person or by telephone; and
(14) Exercise such other authority as is necessary to carry out the responsibilities of the ALJ under this part.
(b) The ALJ does not have the authority to find Federal statutes or regulations invalid.
Each party to the hearing has the right to:
(a) Be represented by a representative;
(b) Request a pre-hearing conference and participate in any conference held by the ALJ;
(c) Conduct discovery;
(d) Agree to stipulations of fact or law which will be made a part of the record;
(e) Present evidence relevant to the issues at the hearing;
(f) Present and cross-examine witnesses;
(g) Present arguments at the hearing as permitted by the ALJ; and
(h) Submit written briefs and proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law after the hearing, as permitted by the ALJ.
(a) The investigating official, the reviewing official, and any employee or agent of the authority who takes part in investigating, preparing, or presenting a particular case may not, in such case or a factually related case:
(1) Participate in the hearing as the ALJ;
(2) Participate or advise in the review of the initial decision by the authority head; or
(3) Make the collection of penalties and assessment.
(b) The ALJ must not be responsible to or subject to the supervision or direction of the investigating official or the reviewing official.
(a) A reviewing official or an ALJ may disqualify himself or herself at any time.
(b) Upon motion of any party, the reviewing official or ALJ may be disqualified as follows:
(1) The motion must be supported by an affidavit containing specific facts establishing that personal bias or other reason for disqualification exists, including the time and circumstances of the discovery of such facts;
(2) The motion must be filed promptly after discovery of the grounds for disqualification or the objection will be deemed waived; and
(3) The party, or representative of record, must certify in writing that the motion is made in good faith.
(c) Once a motion has been filed to disqualify the reviewing official or the ALJ, the ALJ will halt the proceedings until resolving the matter of disqualification. If the ALJ determines that the reviewing official is disqualified, the ALJ will dismiss the complaint without prejudice. If the ALJ disqualifies himself/herself, the case will be promptly reassigned to another ALJ. However, if the ALJ denies a motion to disqualify, the matter will be determined by the authority head only during his/her review of the initial decision on appeal.
(a) Yes. Once the ALJ issues a hearing notice, and upon written request to the reviewing official, you may:
(1) Review any relevant and material documents, transcripts, records, and other materials that relate to the allegations set out in the complaint and upon which the findings and conclusions of the investigating official are based, unless such documents are subject to a privilege under Federal law. Upon payment of fees for duplication, you may obtain copies of such documents; and
(2) Obtain a copy of all exculpatory information in the possession of the reviewing official or investigating official relating to the allegations in the complaint. You may obtain exculpatory information even if it is contained in a document that would otherwise be privileged. If the document would otherwise be privileged, only that portion containing exculpatory information must be disclosed.
(b) The notice sent to the Attorney General from the reviewing official is not discoverable under any circumstances.
(c) If the reviewing official does not respond to your request within 20 days, you may file a motion to compel disclosure of the documents with the ALJ subject to the provisions of this section. Such a motion may only be filed with the ALJ following the filing of an answer.
(a) The following types of discovery are authorized:
(1) Requests for production of documents for inspection and copying;
(2) Requests for admissions of the authenticity of any relevant document or of the truth of any relevant fact;
(3) Written interrogatories; and
(4) Depositions.
(b) For the purpose of this section, the term documents includes information, documents, reports, answers, records, accounts, papers, electronic data and other data and documentary evidence. Nothing contained herein must be interpreted to require the creation of a document.
(c) Unless mutually agreed to by the parties, discovery is available only as ordered by the ALJ. The ALJ must regulate the timing of discovery.
Motions for discovery must be handled according to the following:
(a) A party seeking discovery may file a motion with the ALJ. Such a motion must be accompanied by a copy of the requested discovery, or in the case of depositions, a summary of the scope of the proposed deposition.
(b) Within 10 days of service, a party may file an opposition to the motion and/or a motion for protective order.
(a) The ALJ may grant a motion for discovery only if he/she finds that the discovery sought—
(1) Is necessary for the expeditious, fair, and reasonable consideration of the issues;
(2) Is not unduly costly or burdensome;
(3) Will not unduly delay the proceeding; and
(4) Does not seek privileged information.
(b) The burden of showing that discovery should be allowed is on the party seeking discovery.
(c) The ALJ may grant discovery subject to a protective order.
(a) Depositions are to be handled in the following manner:
(1) If a motion for deposition is granted, the ALJ must issue a subpoena for the deponent, which may require the deponent to produce documents. The subpoena must specify the time and place at which the deposition will be held.
(2) The party seeking to depose must serve the subpoena in the manner prescribed by § 1149.12.
(3) The deponent may file with the ALJ a motion to quash the subpoena or a motion for a protective order within 10 days of service.
(4) The party seeking to depose must provide for the taking of a verbatim transcript of the deposition, which it must make available to all other parties for inspection and copying.
(b) Each party must bear its own costs of discovery.
(a) The parties must exchange witness lists and copies of proposed hearing exhibits at least 15 days before the hearing or at such other time as ordered by the ALJ. This includes copies of any written statements or transcripts of deposition testimony that each party intends to offer in lieu of live testimony.
(b) If a party objects, the ALJ will not admit into evidence the testimony of any witness whose name does not appear on the witness list or any exhibit not provided to an opposing party in advance unless the ALJ finds good cause for the omission or concludes that there is no prejudice to the objecting party.
(c) Documents exchanged in accordance with this section are deemed to be authentic for the purpose of admissibility at the hearing unless a party objects within the time set by the ALJ.
(a) A party wishing to procure the appearance and testimony of any individual at the hearing may request that the ALJ issue a subpoena.
(b) A subpoena requiring the attendance and testimony of an individual may also require the individual to produce documents at the hearing.
(c) A party seeking a subpoena must file a written request not less than 15 days before the date of the hearing unless otherwise allowed by the ALJ upon a showing of good cause. Such request must specify any documents to be produced, must designate the witnesses, and describe the address and location of the desired witness with sufficient particularity to permit such witnesses to be found.
(d) The subpoena must specify the time and place at which the witness is to appear and any documents the witness is to produce.
(e) The party seeking the subpoena must serve it in the manner prescribed in § 1149.11. A subpoena on a party or upon an individual under the control of a party may be served by first class mail.
The party requesting a subpoena must pay the cost of the fees and mileage of any witness subpoenaed in the amounts that would be payable to a witness in a proceeding in United States District Court. A check for witness fees and mileage must accompany the subpoena when served, except that when a subpoena is issued on behalf of the NEA, a check for witness fees and mileage need not accompany the subpoena.
A party, entity or the person to whom the subpoena is directed, may file with the ALJ a motion to quash the subpoena:
(a) Within 10 days after service; or
(b) On or before the time specified in the subpoena for compliance if it is less than 10 days after service.
A party or prospective witness or deponent may file a motion for a protective order with respect to discovery sought by an opposing party or with respect to the hearing, seeking to limit the availability of an individual or disclosure of evidence.
In issuing a protective order, the ALJ may make any order which justice requires to protect a party or person from annoyance, embarrassment, oppression, or undue burden or expense, including one or more of the following:
(a) That the discovery not be had;
(b) That the discovery may be had only under specified terms and conditions, including a designation of the time or place;
(c) That the discovery may be had only through a different method of discovery than requested;
(d) That certain matters are not inquired into, or that the scope of discovery is limited to certain matters;
(e) That only those persons designated by the ALJ may be present during discovery;
(f) That the contents of the discovery or evidence are sealed;
(g) That a sealed deposition is opened only by order of the ALJ;
(h) That a trade secret or other confidential research, development, commercial information, or facts pertaining to any criminal investigation, proceeding, or other administrative investigation not be disclosed or be disclosed only in a designated way; or
(i) That the parties simultaneously file specified documents or information enclosed in sealed envelopes to be opened as directed by the ALJ.
(a) Documents are considered filed when they are mailed. The date of mailing may be established by a certificate from the party or his/her representative, or by proof that the document was sent by certified or registered mail.
(b) A party filing a document with the ALJ must, at the time of filing, serve a copy of such document on every other party. When a party is represented by a representative, the party's representative must be served in lieu of the party.
(c) A certificate of the individual serving the document by personal delivery or mail and setting forth the manner of service will be proof of service.
(d) Service upon any party of any document other than the complaint must be made by delivering a copy or by placing a copy in the United States mail, postage prepaid and addressed to the party's last known address.
(e) If a party consents in writing, documents may be sent electronically. In this instance, service is complete upon transmission unless the serving party receives electronic notification that transmission of the communication was not completed.
(a) Documents filed with the ALJ must include:
(1) An original; and
(2) Two copies.
(b) Every document filed in the proceeding must contain:
(1) A title, for example, “motion to quash subpoena”;
(2) A caption setting forth the title of the action; and
(3) The case number assigned by the ALJ.
(c) Every document must be signed by the filer, or his/her representative, and contain the address or telephone number of that person.
(a) In computing any period of time under this part or in an order issued under it, the time begins with the day following the act, event, or default, and includes the last day of the period, unless it is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday observed by the Federal government, in which event it includes the next business day.
(1) Time calculating example. If the ALJ denies your motion for an appeal on Wednesday, December 10th you have 15 days to file the notice of appeal. Since the 15th day falls on Christmas, a legal holiday observed by the Federal government, the deadline will be the next business day, Friday, December 26th.
(2) [Reserved]
(b) When the period of time allowed is less than seven days, intermediate Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays observed by the Federal government must be excluded from the computation.
(c) Where a document has been served or issued by placing it in the mail, an additional five days will be added to the time permitted for any response.
The ALJ may hold the hearing:
(a) In any judicial district of the United States:
(b) In which you reside or transact business; or
(c) In which the claim or statement on which liability is based was made to the NEA; or
(d) In such other place as agreed upon by you and the ALJ.
(a) The ALJ conducts a hearing on the record in order:
(1) To determine whether you are liable for a civil penalty, assessment, or both; and
(2) If so, to determine the appropriate amount of the penalty and/or assessment, considering any aggravating or mitigating factors.
(b) The hearing will be recorded and transcribed, and the transcript of testimony, exhibits admitted at the hearing, and all papers filed in the proceeding constitute the record for a decision by the ALJ.
(c) The hearing will be open to the public unless otherwise ordered by the ALJ for good cause shown.
(a) The NEA must prove your liability and any aggravating factors by a preponderance of the evidence.
(b) You must prove any affirmative defenses and any mitigating factors by a preponderance of the evidence.
(a) The ALJ determines the admissibility of evidence.
(b) Except as provided in this part, the ALJ is not bound by the Federal Rules of Evidence. However, the ALJ may choose to apply the Federal Rules of Evidence where he/she deems appropriate, for example, to exclude unreliable evidence.
(c) The ALJ must exclude irrelevant and immaterial evidence.
(d) Although relevant, evidence may be excluded if its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of the issues, or by considerations of undue delay or needless presentation of cumulative evidence.
(e) Although relevant, evidence may be excluded if it is privileged under Federal law.
(f) The following evidence concerning offers of compromise or settlement is inadmissible when offered to prove liability for, invalidity of, or amount of a claim that was disputed as to validity or amount, or to impeach through a prior inconsistent statement or contradiction:
(1) Providing, offer, or promising to provide a valuable consideration in compromising or attempting to compromise the claim;
(2) Accepting, offering, or promising to accept a valuable consideration in compromising or attempting to compromise the claim; and
(3) Conduct or statements made in compromise negotiations regarding the claim, except when offered in a criminal case and the negotiations related to a claim by a public office or authority in the exercise of regulatory, investigative, or enforcement authority.
(g) The ALJ must permit the parties to introduce rebuttal witnesses and evidence.
(h) All documents and other evidence taken for the record must be open to examination by all parties unless otherwise ordered by the ALJ.
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, testimony at the hearing must be given orally by witnesses under oath or affirmation.
(b) At the discretion of the ALJ, testimony may be admitted in the form of a written statement or deposition.
(1) Any such statement must be provided to all other parties along with the last known address of such witness, in a manner which allows sufficient time for other parties to subpoena the witness for cross-examination at the hearing.
(2) Prior written statements of witnesses proposed to testify at the hearing and deposition transcripts must be exchanged.
(c) The ALJ must exercise reasonable control over the mode and order of interrogating witnesses and presenting evidence so as to:
(1) Make the interrogation and presentation effective for ascertaining the truth;
(2) Avoid needless consumption of time; and
(3) Protect witnesses from harassment and undue embarrassment.
(d) The ALJ must permit the parties to conduct such cross examination as may be required for a full and true disclosure of the facts.
(e) At the discretion of the ALJ, a witness may be cross examined on matters relevant to the proceeding without regard to the scope of his or her direct examination. To the extent permitted by the ALJ, cross-examination on matters outside the scope of direct examination must be conducted in the manner of direct examination. Leading questions may be used only if the witness is a hostile witness, an adverse party, or a witness identified with an adverse party.
PROGRAM FRAUD CIVIL REMEDIES ACT REGULATIONS (U.S.C.). Retrieved via LawPlayer, https://lawplayer.com/us/act/cfr-title-45-part-1149
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