(a) If the General Counsel determines after any investigation under 31 U.S.C. 752(b) that disciplinary action should be initiated against an employee, the General Counsel shall prepare a written complaint against the employee containing their determination, together with a statement of the supporting facts, and present the complaint and the statement to the employee and the Board in accordance with paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section.

(b) In the case of an employee in a confidential, policy making, policy-determining, or policy-advocating position appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, the complaint and statement referred to in paragraph (a) of this section, with any response by the employee, shall be presented to the Congress for appropriate action in lieu of being presented under paragraph (d) of this section.

(c) Any employee against whom a complaint has been presented to the Board under paragraph (a) of this section is entitled to:

(1) A reasonable time to answer orally and in writing and to furnish affidavits and other documentary evidence in support of the answer;

(2) Be represented by an attorney or other representative;

(3) A hearing before the Board or a member designated by the Board;

(4) Have a transcript kept of any hearing under paragraph (c)(3) of this section; and

(5) A written decision and reasons therefor at the earliest practicable date, including a copy of a final decision ordering disciplinary action.

(d) A final order of the Board may order disciplinary action consisting of removal, reduction in grade, debarment from GAO employment for a period not to exceed 5 years, suspension, reprimand, or an assessment of civil penalty not to exceed $1,000.

(e) An employee subject to a final decision ordering disciplinary action under this section may obtain judicial review of the order in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in accordance with 31 U.S.C. 755.