Flagrant violations

The Secretary, in consultation with the Inspector General of the Department of Agriculture, shall establish procedures under which the processing of program benefit redemptions for a retail food store or wholesale food concern may be immediately suspended pending administrative action to disqualify the retail food store or wholesale food concern.

Under the procedures described in paragraph (1), if the Secretary, in consultation with the Inspector General, determines that a retail food store or wholesale food concern is engaged in flagrant violations of this chapter (including regulations promulgated under this chapter), unsettled program benefits that have been redeemed by the retail food store or wholesale food concern—

(A) may be suspended; and

(B) (i) if the program disqualification is upheld, may be subject to forfeiture pursuant to section 2024(g) of this title ; or (ii) if the program disqualification is not upheld, shall be released to the retail food store or wholesale food concern.

The Secretary shall not be liable for the value of any interest on funds suspended under this subsection.