17.64—Referral of claims to the Assistant Secretary for Administration.
(a) Authority of the Assistant Secretary for Administration.
The Assistant Secretary for Administration shall exercise the powers and perform the duties of the Secretary to compromise, or to suspend or terminate collection action on all Department claims not exceeding $100,000 exclusive of interest, except as provided in § 17.65 and paragraph (b) of this section. When initial attempts at collection by the office having responsibility for such claims have not been fully successful, the claim file shall be forwarded to the Assistant Secretary for Administration for further administrative collection procedures. Claims shall be referred to the Assistant Secretary for Administration well within the applicable statute of limitations (28 U.S.C. 2415 and 2416 ), but in no event more than 2 years after the claims accrued.
(b) Exclusions.
There shall be no compromised or terminated collection action with respect to any claim: (1) As to which there is an indication of fraud, the presentation of a false claim, or misrepresentation on the part of the debtor or any other party having an interest in the claim; (2) based in whole or in part on conduct in violation of the anti-trust laws; (3) based on tax statutes; or (4) arising from an exception made by the General Accounting Office in the account of an accountable officer. Such claims shall be promptly referred to the Justice Department or GAO, as appropriate.