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party of any document other than those required to be served as prescribed in § 33.8 shall be made by delivering a copy, or by placing a copy of the document in the United States mail, postage prepaid and addressed, to the party's last known address. If a party is represented by a representative, service must be made upon the representative in lieu of the actual

party.

(c) Proof of service. A certificate of the individual serving the document by personal delivery or by mail, setting forth the manner of service, is proof of service.

(Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3803(b)(3)(A))

§ 33.27 Computation of time.

(a) In computing any period of time under this part or in an order issued under this part, 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.

(b) If the period of time allowed is less than seven days, intermediate Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays observed by the Federal Government are excluded from the computation.

(c) If a document has been served or issued by placing it in the mail, an additional five days is added to the time permitted for any response. (Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3809)

§ 33.28 Motions.

(a) Any application to the ALJ for an order or ruling must be by motion. Motions must state the relief sought, the authority relied upon, and the facts alleged, and must be filed with the ALJ and served on all other parties.

(b) Except for motions made during a prehearing conference or at the hearing, all motions must be in writing. The ALJ may require that oral motions be reduced to writing.

(c) Within 15 days after a written motion is served, or such other time as may be fixed by the ALJ, any party may file a response to the motion.

(d) The ALJ may not grant a written motion before the time for filing responses to the motion has expired, ex

cept upon consent of the parties or following a hearing on the motion, but may overrule or deny the motion without awaiting a response.

(e) The ALJ shall make a reasonable effort to dispose of all outstanding motions prior to the beginning of the hearing.

(Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3803(g)(3)(A))

§ 33.29 Sanctions.

(a) The ALJ may sanction a person, including any party or representative for

(1) Failing to comply with an order, rule, or procedure governing the proceeding;

(2) Failing to prosecute or defend an action; or

(3) Engaging in other misconduct that interferes with the speedy, orderly, or fair conduct of the hearing.

(b) Any sanction, including but not limited to those listed in paragraphs (c), (d), and (e) of this section must reasonably relate to the severity and nature of the failure or misconduct.

(c) If a party fails to comply with an order, including an order for taking a deposition, the production of evidence within the party's control, or a request for admission, the ALJ may—

(1) Draw an inference in favor of the requesting party with regard to the information sought;

(2) In the case of requests for admission, deem each matter of which an admission is requested to be admitted;

(3) Prohibit the party failing to comply with the order from introducing evidence concerning, or otherwise relying upon testimony relating to, the information sought; and

(4) Strike any part of the pleadings or other submissions of the party failing to comply with the request.

(d) If a party fails to prosecute or defend an action under this part commenced by service of a notice of hearing, the ALJ may dismiss the action or may issue an initial decision imposing penalties and assessments.

(e) The ALJ may refuse to consider any motion, request, response, brief, or other document that is not filed in a timely fashion.

(Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3803(g)(2))

§ 33.30 The hearing and burden of proof.

(a) The ALJ shall conduct a hearing on the record in order to determine whether the defendant is liable for a civil penalty or assessment under §33.3 and, if so, the appropriate amount of the civil penalty or assessment considering any aggravating or mitigating factors.

(b) The Department shall prove a defendant's liability and any aggravating factors by a preponderance of the evidence.

(c) The defendant shall prove any affirmative defenses and any mitigating factors by a preponderance of the evidence.

(d) The hearing must be open to the public unless otherwise ordered by the ALJ for good cause shown.

(Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3803 (f), (g)(2))

§ 33.31 Determining the amount of penalties and assessments.

(a) In determining an appropriate amount of civil penalties and assessments, the ALJ and the Department head, upon appeal, evaluate any circumstances that mitigate or aggravate the violation and articulate in their opinions the reasons that support the penalties and assessments they impose. Because of the intangible costs of fraud, the expense of investigating fraudulent conduct, and the need to deter others who might be similarly tempted, ordinarily double damages and a significant civil penalty is imposed.

(b) Although not exhaustive, the following factors are among those that may influence the ALJ and the Department head in determining the amount of penalties and assessments to impose with respect to the misconduct (i.e., the false, fictitious, or fraudulent claims or statements) charged in the complaint:

(1) The number of false, fictitious, or fraudulent claims or statements.

(2) The time period over which such claims or statements were made.

(3) The degree of the defendent's culpability with respect to the misconduct.

(4) The amount of money or the value of the property, services, or benefit falsely claimed.

(5) The value of the Government's actual loss as a result of the misconduct, including foreseeable consequential damages and the costs of investigation.

(6) The relationship of the amount imposed as civil penalties to the amount of the Government's loss.

(7) The potential or actual impact of the misconduct upon national defense, public health or safety, or public confidence in the management of Government programs and operations, including particularly the impact on the intended beneficiaries of such programs.

(8) Whether the defendant has engaged in a pattern of the same or similar misconduct.

(9) Whether the defendant attempted to conceal the misconduct.

(10) The degree to which the defendant has involved others in the misconduct or in concealing it.

(11) If the misconduct of employees or agents is imputed to the defendant, the extent to which the defendant's practices fostered or attempted to preclude the misconduct.

(12) Whether the defendant cooperated in or obstructed an investigation of the misconduct.

(13) Whether the defendant assisted in identifying and prosecuting other wrongdoers.

(14) The complexity of the program or transaction, and the degree of the defendant's sophistication with respect to it, including the extent of the defendant's prior participation in the program or in similar transactions.

(15) Whether the defendant has been found, in any criminal, civil, or administrative proceeding to have engaged in similar misconduct or to have dealt dishonestly with the Government of the United States or of a State, directly or indirectly.

(16) The need to deter the defendant and others from engaging in the same or similar misconduct.

(c) Nothing in this section may be construed to limit the ALJ or the Department head from considering any other factors that in any given case may mitigate or aggravate the offense

for which penalties and assessments are imposed.

(Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3803(a)(2) (e), (f))

§ 33.32 Location of hearing.

(a) The hearing may be held:

(1) In any judicial district of the United States in which the defendant resides or transacts business;

(2) In any judicial district of the United States in which the claim or statement in issue was made; or

(3) In such other place as may be agreed upon by the defendant and the ALJ.

(b) Each party must have the opportunity to present argument with respect to the location of the hearing.

(c) The hearing must be held at the place and at the time ordered by the ALJ.

(Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3803(g)(4))

§ 33.33 Witnesses.

(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. Any such written statement must be provided to all other parties along with the last known address of the witness, in a manner that allows sufficient time for other parties to subpoena the witness for cross-examination at the hearing. Prior written statements of witnesses proposed to testify at the hearing and deposition transcripts must be exchanged as provided in § 33.22(a).

(c) The ALJ shall 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 the ascertainment of the truth;

(2) Avoid needless consumption of time; and

(3) Protect witnesses from harassment or undue embarrassment.

(d) The ALJ shall 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 mat

ters 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 and may proceed by leading questions only if the witness is a hostile witness, an adverse party, or a witness identified with an adverse party.

(f) Upon motion of any party, the ALJ shall order witnesses excluded so that they cannot hear the testimony of other witnesses. This rule does not authorize exclusion of

(1) A party who is an individual;

(2) In the case of a party that is not an individual, an officer or employee of the party appearing for the party pro se or designated by the party's representative; or

(3) An individual whose presence is shown by a party to be essential to the presentation of its case, including an individual employed by the Government engaged in assisting the representative for the Government.

(Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3803(g)(2)(E); 3809))

§ 33.34 Evidence.

(a) The ALJ shall determine 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 apply the Federal Rules of Evidence if appropriate, e.g., to exclude unreliable evidence.

(c) The ALJ shall exclude irrelevant and immaterial evidence.

(d) Although relevant, evidence may be excluded if its probative value is substantially outweighted 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) Evidence concerning offers of compromise or settlement are inadmissible to the extend provided in Rule 408 of the Federal Rules of Evidence.

(g) The ALJ shall permit the parties to introduce rebuttal witnesses and evidence.

(h) All Documents and other evidence offered or taken for the record must be open to examination by all parties, unless otherwise ordered by the ALJ pursuant to §33.24.

(Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3803(f)(g)(2)(E))

§ 33.35 The record.

(a) The hearing must be recorded and transcribed. Transcripts may be obtained following the hearing from the ALJ at a cost not to exceed the actual cost of duplication.

(Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3803 (f))

(b) The transcript of testimony, exhibits and other evidence admitted at the hearing, and all papers and requests filed in the proceeding constitute the record for the decision by the ALJ and the Department head.

(c) The record may be inspected and copied (upon payment of a reasonable fee) by anyone, unless otherwise ordered by the ALJ pursuant to §33.24. (Authority: 5 U.S.C. App. 2, section 11)

§ 33.36 Post-hearing briefs.

The ALJ may require the parties to file post-hearing briefs. In any event, any party may file a post-hearing brief. The ALJ shall fix the time for filing these briefs, not to exceed 60 days from the date the parties receive the transcript of the hearing or, if applicable, the stipulated record. The briefs may be accompanied by proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law. The ALJ may permit the parties to file reply briefs.

(Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3803 (g)(1)(2)(E))

§ 33.37 Initial decision.

(a) The ALJ shall issue an initial decision, based only on the record, that contains findings of fact, conclusions of law, and the amount of any penalties and assessments imposed.

(b) The findings of fact must include a finding on each of the following issues:

(1) Whether the claims or statements identified in the complaint, or any portions of the complaint, violate § 33.3.

(2) If the person is liable for penalties or assessments, the appropriate amount of any such penalties or assessments considering any mitigating or

aggravating factors that the ALJ finds in the case, such as those described in § 33.31.

(c) The ALJ shall promptly serve the initial decision on all parties within 90 days after the time for submission of post-hearing briefs and reply briefs (if permitted) has expired. The ALJ shall at the same time serve all parties with a statement describing the right of any defendant determined to be liable for a civil penalty or assessment to file a motion for reconsideration with the ALJ or a notice of appeal with the Department head. If the ALJ fails to meet the deadline contained in this paragraph, he or she shall notify the parties of the reasons for the delay and shall set a new deadline.

(d) Unless the initial decision of the ALJ is timely appealed to the Department head, or a motion for reconsideration of the initial decision is timely filed, the initial decision shall constitute the final decision of the Department head and shall be final and binding on the parties 30 days after it is issued by the ALJ.

(Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3803(h)(i))

§ 33.38 Reconsideration of initial decision.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, any party may file a motion for reconsideration of the initial decision within 20 days of receipt of the initial decision. If service was made by mail, receipt is presumed to be five days from the date of mailing in the absence of contrary proof.

(b) Every motion under paragraph (a) of this section must set forth the matters claimed to have been erroneously decided and the nature of the alleged errors. The motion must be accompanied by a supporting brief.

(c) Responses to the motion are allowed only upon request to the ALJ.

(d) No party may file a motion for reconsideration of an initial decision that has been revised in response to a previous motion for reconsideration.

(e) The ALJ may dispose of a motion for reconsideration by denying it or by issuing a revised initial decision.

(f) If the ALJ denies a motion for reconsideration, the initial decision shall constitute the final decision of the Department head and shall be final and

binding on the parties 30 days after the ALJ denies the motion, unless the initial decision is timely appealed to the Department head in accordance with § 33.39.

(g) If the ALJ issues a revised initial decision, that decision shall constitute the final decision of the Department head and shall be final and binding on the parties 30 days after it is issued, unless it is timely appealed to the Department head in accordance with § 33.39.

(Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3809)

§ 33.39 Appeal to Department head. (a) Any defendant who has filed a timely answer and who is determined in an initial decision to be liable for a civil penalty or assessment may appeal the decision to the Department head by filing a notice of appeal with the Department head in accordance with this section.

(b)(1) A notice of appeal may be filed at any time within 30 days after the ALJ issues a final decision. However, if another party files a motion for reconsideration under §33.38, consideration of the appeal shall be stayed automatically pending resolution of the motion for reconsideration.

(2) If a motion for reconsideration is timely filed, a notice of appeal may be filed within 30 days after the ALJ denies the motion or issues a revised initial decision, whichever applies.

(3) The Department head may extend the initial 30-day period for an additional 30 days if the defendant files with the Department head a request for an extension within the initial 30-day period and shows good cause.

(c) If the defendant files a timely notice of appeal with the Department head, and the time for filing motions for reconsideration under § 33.38 has expired, the ALJ shall forward the record of the proceeding to the Department head.

(d) A notice of appeal must be accompanied by a written brief specifying exceptions to the initial decision and reasons supporting the exceptions.

(e) The representative for the Government may file a brief in opposition to exceptions within 30 days of receiving the notice of appeal and accompanying brief.

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(f) There is no right to appear personally before the Department head.

(g) There is no right to appeal any interlocutory ruling by the ALJ.

(h) In reviewing the initial decision, the Department head does not consider any objection that was not raised before the ALJ unless a demonstration is made of extraordinary circumstances causing the failure to raise the objection.

(i) If any party demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Department head that additional evidence not presented at such hearing is material and that there were reasonable grounds for the failure to present that evidence at the hearing, the Department head shall remand the matter to the ALJ for consideration of the additional evidence.

(j) The Department head affirms, reduces, reverses, compromises, remands, or settles any penalty or assessment, determined by the ALJ in any initial decision.

(Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3803(i))

(k) The Department head promptly serves each party to the appeal with a copy of the decision of the Department head and a statement describing the right of any person determined to be liable for a penalty or assessment to seek judicial review.

(Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3803(i)(2))

(1) Unless a petition for review is filed as provided in 31 U.S.C. 3805, after a defendant has exhausted all administrative remedies under this part and within 60 days after the date on which the Department head serves the defendant with a copy of the Department head's decision, a determination that a defendant is liable under $33.3 is final and is not subject to judicial review. (Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3805(a)(2))

§ 33.40 Stays ordered by the Department of Justice.

If at any time the Attorney General or an Assistant Attorney General designated by the Attorney General transmits to the Department head a written finding that continuation of the administrative process described in this part with respect to a claim or statement may adversely affect any pending or

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