Unless noted otherwise, the definitions set forth in § 622.2 of subpart A shall apply to this subpart.

The rules and procedures set forth in this subpart apply to informal hearings afforded to any officer, director, or other person participating in the conduct of the affairs of a System institution who has been suspended or removed from office or prohibited from further participation in any manner in the conduct of the institution's affairs by a notice or order issued by the Board upon the grounds set forth in section 5.29 of the Act.

(a) Content. The Board may serve a notice of suspension or prohibition or order of removal upon a director, officer or other person participating in the conduct of the affairs of an institution. A copy of such notice or order shall also be served upon the institution, whereupon the individual concerned shall immediately cease service to the institution or participation in the affairs of the institution. Any notice or order shall indicate the basis for the suspension, prohibition, or removal and shall inform the individual of the right to request in writing, within 30 days of being served with such notice or order, an opportunity to show at an informal hearing that continued service to or participation in the conduct of the affairs of the institution does not, or is not likely to, pose a threat to the interests of the institution's shareholders or the investors in Farm Credit System obligations or threaten to impair public confidence in the institution or the Farm Credit System.

(b) Service. A notice or order of suspension, removal or prohibition may be served by personal service or by certified mail with a return receipt to the last known address of the person being served.

(a) Filing. To obtain a hearing, the subject individual must file an original and three copies of a petition with the Board within 30 days of being served with the notice or order.

(b) Content. The petition shall:

(1) State whether the petitioner is requesting termination or modification of the notice or order;

(2) State with particularity how the petitioner intends to show that his or her continued service to or participation in the conduct of the affairs of the institution would not, or is not likely to, pose a threat to the interests of the institution's shareholders or the investors in Farm Credit System obligations or threaten to impair public confidence in the institution or the Farm Credit System;

(3) Include a request to present oral testimony or witnesses at the hearing, if the petitioner desires to do so. The request should specify the names of the witnesses and a summary of their expected testimony; and

(4) Indicate whether the petitioner desires oral argument or elects to have the matter determined solely on the basis of written submissions.

(a) Time and place. Upon receipt of a timely petition for a hearing, the Board shall notify the petitioner of the time and place fixed for the hearing and shall designate one or more Board members or FCA employees to preside (“designated FCA representative”). The hearing shall be scheduled to be held no later than 30 days from the date a petition for hearing is received unless the time is extended at the request of the petitioner. Notice of the hearing shall also be sent to the FCA's Office of General Counsel.

(b) Appearance. A petitioner may appear personally or through counsel to submit relevant written materials and oral argument. An attorney is subject to all the requirements and limitations imposed on attorneys in § 622.3 of subpart A. A representative(s) of the FCA's Office of General Counsel may participate in the hearing to the extent such representative deems appropriate.

(c) Written material. Any written material the petitioner wishes to have considered must be submitted to the designated FCA representative and the FCA's Office of General Counsel at least 10 days prior to the date of the hearing.

(d) Oral testimony. Oral testimony may be presented only if expressly permitted by the Board in the notice of hearing. The designated FCA representative may ask questions of any witness.

(e) Transcripts. Oral testimony, if any, and oral argument shall be recorded. A copy of the transcript shall be filed with the designated FCA representative, who shall have authority to correct the record sua sponte upon notice, or upon the motion of the petitioner or the representative of the FCA's Office of General Counsel. The designated FCA representative shall promptly serve notice upon the petitioner and the FCA's Office of General Counsel of such filing. Such parties shall make arrangements with the person recording the testimony or argument for copies of the transcript.

(f) Closing of record. Upon the request of the petitioner or representative of the FCA's Office of General Counsel, the record shall remain open for a period of 5 business days following the hearing, during which time additional submissions for the record may be made. Thereafter, the record shall be closed.

(g) Rules of evidence and procedure. Neither the formal rules of evidence nor the adjudicative procedures of the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 554-557) or subpart A of these rules shall apply to the informal hearing ordered under this subpart unless the Board orders that they apply in whole or in part.

If the subject individual fails to file a petition for a hearing, or fails to appear at a hearing, either in person or by an attorney, or fails to submit a written argument where oral argument has been waived, the notice shall remain in effect until the information, indictment, or complaint is finally disposed of and the order shall remain in effect until terminated by the Board.

(a) Recommended decision. Within 30 days of the hearing, the designated FCA representative shall make a recommendation with findings and conclusions to the Board concerning the notice or order of suspension, removal, or prohibition.

(b) Final decision. Within 60 days of the hearing, the Board shall notify the subject individual and the FCA's Office of General Counsel whether the suspension or removal from office, or prohibition from participation in any manner in the affairs of the institution, will be continued, terminated, or otherwise modified. The Board's final decision, if adverse to the individual, shall contain a statement of the basis thereof. The Board may satisfy this requirement where it adopts the recommended decision of the designated FCA representative.

(c) Guilt not an issue. In deciding upon any suspension of prohibition by notice, the ultimate question of the guilt or innocence of the individual with respect to the criminal charge that is outstanding will not be considered. A finding of not guilty or other disposition of the charge shall not preclude the Board from thereafter instituting removal proceedings pursuant to section 5.28 of the Act.

(d) Effective period. A removal or prohibition by order remains in effect until terminated by the Board. A suspension or prohibition by notice remains in effect until the criminal charge is finally disposed of or until terminated by the Board.

(e) Reconsideration. A suspended or removed individual may petition the Board to reconsider the decision any time after the expiration of a 12-month period from the date of the decision, but no petition for reconsideration may be made within 12 months of a previous petition. A petition shall state with particularity the relief sought and the grounds therefor and may be accompanied by a supporting memorandum and any other documentation the petitioner wishes to have considered. No hearing need be granted on the petition for reconsideration.