19.705—What does the suspending official consider in issuing a suspension?
(a)
In determining the adequacy of the evidence
to support the suspension, the suspending official
considers how much information is available, how
credible it is given the circumstances, whether or
not important allegations are corroborated, and
what inferences can reasonably be drawn as a
result. During this assessment, the suspending
official may examine the basic documents,
including grants, cooperative agreements, loan
authorizations, contracts, and other relevant
documents.
(b)
An indictment, conviction, civil judgment,
or other official findings by Federal, State, or
local bodies that determine factual and/or legal
matters, constitutes adequate evidence for
purposes of suspension actions.
(c)
In deciding whether immediate action is
needed to protect the public interest, the
suspending official has wide discretion. For
example, the suspending official may infer the
necessity for immediate action to protect the
public interest either from the nature of the
circumstances giving rise to a cause for
suspension or from potential business
relationships or involvement with a program of the
Federal Government.