Certifying officers face full pecuniary liability for erroneous payments.
Liability Overview
Certifying officers must personally reimburse the U.S. government for the full amount of any illegal or improper payment under 31 U.S.C. § 3528. This liability is automatic upon certification of an erroneous payment.
Maximum Level
The maximum pecuniary liability equals the full dollar value of the erroneous payment, minus any amounts already recovered. Officers can seek relief only if they prove due diligence, reliance on official records, and no knowledge of the error.
Relief Conditions
Relief requires showing the certification used official records, exercised reasonable diligence, lacked personal knowledge of impropriety, and could not reasonably detect the issue. Entities decide on relief after investigation, but negligence presumes liability in fiscal irregularities.
