§ 209.5 - Complaint.

§ 209.5 Complaint.

(a) Contents. The complaint shall include

(1) specific reference to each provision of the Act or regulations which respondent is alleged to have violated;

(2) a brief statement of the factual basis for alleging each violation;

(3) the proposed order issued under section 11(d) of the Act to remedy the violation, signed by the Assistant Administrator for Enforcement, with notice that the order shall be effective 20 days after service of the complaint unless respondent requests a hearing under § 209.6;

(4) notice of respondent's right to request a hearing on any material fact or issue of law contained in the complaint, or on the appropriateness of the proposed order; and

(5) a statement of whether the respondent must submit a remedial plan pursuant to § 209.8.

(b) Amendment of the complaint. At any time prior to the filing of an answer, the complainant may amend the complaint as a matter of right. Respondent shall have twenty (20) additional days from the date of service of the amended complaint to file an answer. At any time after the filing of an answer, the complaint may be amended upon motion granted by the administrative law judge.

(c) Withdrawal of the complaint. Where, on the basis of new information or evidence, the complainant concludes that no violation of the Act or the regulations has been committed by the respondent or that the issuance of the complaint was otherwise inappropriate, the complainant may withdraw the complaint without prejudice at any stage in the proceeding.

(d) Service of complaint.

(1) Service of the complaint shall be made on the respondent personally (or on his or her representative), or by certified mail, return receipt requested.

(2) Service upon a domestic or foreign corporation or upon a partnership or another unincorporated association which is subject to suit under a common name shall be made by personal service or certified mail, return receipt requested, directed to an officer or partner, a managing or general agent, or any other agent authorized by appointment or by Federal or State law to receive service of process.

(3) Proof of service of the complaint shall be made by affidavit of the person making personal service, or by properly executed return receipt.