In the administration of the programs established under sections 5621, 5622, and 5623(b) of this title the Secretary shall require by regulation each exporter or other participant under the program to maintain all records concerning a program transaction for a period of not to exceed 5 years after completion of the program transaction, and to permit the Secretary to have full and complete access, for such 5-year period, to such records.

(1) In general In the administration of the programs established under sections 5621, 5622, and 5623(b) of this title the Secretary shall require by regulation each exporter or other participant under the program to maintain all records concerning a program transaction for a period of not to exceed 5 years after completion of the program transaction, and to permit the Secretary to have full and complete access, for such 5-year period, to such records.

(2) Confidentiality The personally identifiable information contained in reports under subsection (a) may be withheld in accordance with section 552(b)(4) of title 5. Any officer or employee of the Department of Agriculture who knowingly discloses confidential information as defined by section 1905 of title 18 shall be subject to section 1905 of title 18. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to authorize the withholding of information from Congress.

If any exporter, assignee, or other participant has engaged in fraud with respect to the programs authorized under this chapter, or has otherwise violated program requirements under this chapter, the Commodity Credit Corporation may—

(1) hold such exporter, assignee, or participant liable for any and all losses to the Corporation resulting from such fraud or violation;

(2) require a refund of any assistance provided to such exporter, assignee, or participant plus interest, as determined by the Secretary; and

(3) collect liquidated damages from such exporter, assignee, or participant in an amount determined appropriate by the Secretary.

The Commodity Credit Corporation may suspend or debar for 1 or more years any exporter, assignee, or other participant from participation in one or more of the programs authorized by this chapter if the Corporation determines, after opportunity for a hearing, that such exporter, assignee, or other participant has violated the terms and conditions of the program or of this chapter and that the violation is of such a nature as to warrant suspension or debarment.

The provisions of section 1001 of title 18 shall apply to any false certifications issued under this chapter.

(Pub. L. 95–501, title IV, § 402, as added Pub. L. 101–624, title XV, § 1531, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3681; amended Pub. L. 104–127, title II, § 247, Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 969; Pub. L. 110–246, title III, § 3103(b)(5), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1833; Pub. L. 115–334, title III, § 3201(b)(1)(B), Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4616.)