CFR > Title 7 - Agriculture > SUBTITLE A—Office of the Secretary of Agriculture > PART 1—ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS > SUBPART L—Procedures Related to Administrative Hearings Under the Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act of 1986 (§1.301 to §1.346) > 1.328—Sanctions.

1.328—Sanctions.

(a) The ALJ may sanction a person, including any party or representative for:
(1) Failing to comply with a lawful order, subpoena, or procedure;
(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 such sanction, including but not limited to those listed in paragraphs (c), (d), and (e) of this section, shall reasonably relate to the severity and nature of the failure or misconduct.
(c) When a party fails to comply with a subpoena or 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 admitted each item as to which an admission is requested;
(3) Prohibit the party failing to comply with such order from introducing evidence concerning, or otherwise relying upon testimony relating to the information sought;
(4) Strike any part of the pleadings or other submissions of the party failing to comply with such request; or
(5) Request that the Attorney General petition an appropriate district court for an order to enforce a subpoena.
(d) If a party fails to prosecute or defend an action under this subpart commenced by service of a complaint, the ALJ may dismiss the action or enter an initial decision imposing penalties and assessments.
(e) The ALJ may refuse to consider any motion or other action which is not filed in a timely fashion.