112-5          CLIENT CONFERENCE

The fraud investigator may conduct a conference with the client upon completion of the post certification investigation that results in a finding of fraud. Face-to-face conferences are held with clients when possible. If it is impractical to hold the conference in person, the investigator will teleconference with the client. Prior to a teleconference, the investigator sends to the client by certified mail and regular mail a Waiver of Administrative Disqualification Hearing notice explaining the evidence obtained during the investigation.

The purpose of a conference is to discuss the intentional program violation with the client and present the state's evidence obtained in the investigation. The client is offered the opportunity to sign the Waiver of Administrative Disqualification Hearing, accept a period of disqualification, and establish a method for repaying any overpayment resulting from the program violation.

If a client elects not to sign the Waiver of Administrative Disqualification, a staff member in the Fraud Control Unit schedules a hearing. If the client requests a hearing during a conference or in writing, a staff member in the Fraud Control Unit schedules a date and sends the client the Advance Notice of Your Administrative Disqualification Hearing (TA 36, FSP 36).