Food Stamp Program: Forfeiture and Denial of Property Rights

This rule implements section 15(g) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977, as amended by Section 124 of the Food Stamp Act Amendments of 1980, PL 96-249, which authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to subject to forfeiture and denial of property rights any nonfood items, moneys, negotiable instruments, securities, or other things of value that are furnished or intended to be furnished by any person in exchange for food coupons, authorization cards, or other program benefit instruments or access devices in any manner not authorized by the Food Stamp Act or regulations issued pursuant to the Food Stamp Act, 7 USC 2024(g). The rule establishes procedures to be followed by the Inspector General and other federal law enforcement officials who conduct investigations of alleged violations of the Food Stamp Act and who may, during the course of those investigations, acquire property subject to forfeiture and denial of property rights.