[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 13, Volume 1] [Revised as of January 1, 2001] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 13CFR142.41] [Page 418-419] TITLE 13--BUSINESS CREDIT AND ASSISTANCE CHAPTER I--SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION PART 142--PROGRAM FRAUD CIVIL REMEDIES ACT REGULATIONS--Table of Contents Sec. 142.41 How does SBA protect the rights of defendants? These procedures separate the functions of the investigating official, reviewing official, and the ALJ, each of whom report to a separate organizational authority in accordance with 31 U.S.C. 3801. Except for purposes of settlement, or as a witness or a representative in public proceedings, no investigating official, reviewing official, or SBA employee or agent who helps investigate, prepare, or present a case may (in such case, or a factually related case) participate in the initial decision or the review of the initial decision by the Administrator. This separation of functions and organization is designed to assure the independence and impartiality of each government official during every stage of the proceeding. The representative for SBA [[Page 419]] may be employed in the offices of either the investigating official or the reviewing official.