1001.301—Conviction relating to obstruction of an investigation.
(a) Circumstance for exclusion.
The OIG may exclude an individual or entity that has been convicted, under Federal or State law, in connection with the interference with or obstruction of any investigation into any criminal offense described in §§ 1001.101 or 1001.201.
(b) Length of exclusion.
(1)
An exclusion imposed in accordance with this section will be for a period of 3 years, unless aggravating or mitigating factors listed in paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(3) of this section form the basis for lengthening or shortening that period.
(2)
Any of the following factors may be considered to be aggravating and a basis for lengthening the period of exclusion—
(i)
The interference with, or obstruction of, the investigation caused the expenditure of significant additional time or resources;
(ii)
The interference or obstruction had a significant adverse mental, physical or financial impact on program beneficiaries or other individuals or on the Medicare, Medicaid or other Federal health care programs;
(v)
Whether the individual or entity has a documented history of criminal, civil or administrative wrongdoing; or
(vi)
Whether the individual or entity was convicted of other offenses besides those which formed the basis for the exclusion, or has been the subject of any other adverse action by any Federal, State or local government agency or board, if the adverse action is based on the same set of circumstances that serves as the basis for the imposition of the exclusion.
(3)
Only the following factors may be considered as mitigating and a basis for reducing the period of exclusion—
(i)
The record of the criminal proceedings, including sentencing documents, demonstrates that the court determined that the individual had a mental, emotional or physical condition, before or during the commission of the offense, that reduced the individual's culpability;
(A)
Others being convicted or excluded from Medicare, Medicaid and all other Federal health care programs,
(B)
Additional cases being investigated or reports being issued by the appropriate law enforcement agency identifying program vulnerabilities or weaknesses, or
(iii)
Alternative sources of the type of health care items or services furnished by the individual or entity are not available.
[57 FR 3329, Jan. 29, 1992; 57 FR 9669, Mar. 20, 1992; 63 FR 46687, Sept. 2, 1998; 64 FR 39426, July 22, 1999]