(a) Neither the investigating official, the reviewing official, nor any employee or agent of the USDA who takes part in investigating, preparing, or presenting a particular case may, in such case or in a factually related case—

(1) Conduct the hearing in such case;

(2) Participate in or advise the ALJ in the decision in such case, or participate in or advise in the review of the decision in such case by the judicial officer, except as a witness or representative in public proceedings; or

(3) Make the collection of penalties and assessments under § 1.341 of this part.

(b) The ALJ shall not be responsible to or subject to the supervision or direction of the investigating official or the reviewing official.

(c) Except to the extent limited by paragraph (a) of this section, the representative for USDA may be employed in any constituent agency of USDA, including the offices of either the investigating official or the reviewing official.