Initiation of proceeding.

§ 223.3 Initiation of proceeding. Whenever the General Counsel has reasonable cause to believe that a former Government employee has violated the statutory or regulatory post-employment restrictions, he or she shall initiate an administrative action by providing the former Government employee with written notice of intention to institute administrative action. Notice must include: (a) A statement of allegations and the basis thereof sufficiently detailed to enable the former Government employee to prepare an adequate defense; (b) Notification of the right to respond to the allegations in writing and/or to request a hearing, together with an explanation of the method by which a hearing may be requested; and (c) A statement that, in the absence of a request for a hearing, the General Counsel shall issue a final decision based upon the evidence gathered to date, including any written reply made by the former Government employee.