§1617. Compromise of Government claims by Secretary of the Treasury

Upon a report by a customs officer, United States attorney, or any special attorney, having charge of any claim arising under the customs laws, showing the facts upon which such claim is based, the probabilities of a recovery and the terms upon which the same may be compromised, the Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to compromise such claim, if such action shall be recommended by the General Counsel for the Department of the Treasury.

(June 17, 1930, ch. 497, title IV, §617, 46 Stat. 757 ; May 10, 1934, ch. 277, §512(b), 48 Stat. 759 ; June 25, 1948, ch. 646, §1, 62 Stat. 869 ; Pub. L. 91–271, title III, §301(gg), June 2, 1970, 84 Stat. 291 .)

References in Text

The customs laws, referred to in text, are classified generally to this title.

Prior Provisions

Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in act Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 356, title IV, §617, 42 Stat. 987 . That section was superseded by section 617 of act June 17, 1930, comprising this section, and repealed by section 651(a)(1) of the 1930 act.

Amendments

1970-Pub. L. 91–271 substituted reference to customs officer for reference to collector and struck out reference to customs agents.

Change of Name

Act June 25, 1948, eff. Sept. 1, 1948, substituted "United States attorney" for "district attorney". See section 541 of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure, and Historical and Revision Note thereunder.

Effective Date of 1970 Amendment

For effective date of amendment by Pub. L. 91–271, see section 203 of Pub. L. 91–271, set out as a note under section 1500 of this title.

Transfer of Functions

Functions of Secretary of the Treasury, General Counsel of Department of the Treasury, or Department of the Treasury under this section with respect to functions transferred to Secretary of Commerce in sections 1303 and 1671 et seq. of this title by section 5(a)(1)(C) of Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1979 were transferred to Secretary of Commerce pursuant to Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1979, §5(a)(1)(C), 44 F.R. 69275, 93 Stat. 1381, eff. Jan. 2, 1980, as provided by section 1–107(a) of Ex. Ord. No. 12188, Jan. 2, 1980, 45 F.R. 993, set out as notes under section 2171 of this title.

Act May 10, 1934, ch. 277, §512(b), 48 Stat. 759 , abolished offices of General Counsel and Assistant General Counsel for Bureau of Internal Revenue, and office of Solicitor and Assistant Solicitor of the Treasury and transferred powers, duties, and functions thereof to General Counsel for Department of the Treasury.

Section Referred to in Other Sections

This section is referred to in sections 1600, 2254 of this title.