19 U.S.C. § 1630

Authority to settle claims

(a) In general

With respect to a claim that cannot be settled under chapter 171 of title 28, the Secretary may settle, for not more than $50,000 in any one case, a claim for damage to, or loss of, privately owned property caused by an investigative or law enforcement officer (as defined in section 2680(h) of title 28 ) who is employed by the Customs Service and acting within the scope of his or her employment.

(b) Limitations

The Secretary may not pay a claim under subsection (a) that—

(1)

concerns commercial property;

(2)

is presented to the Secretary more than 1 year after it occurs; or

(3)

is presented by an officer or employee of the United States Government and arose within the scope of employment.

A claim may be paid under this section only if the claimant accepts the amount of settlement in complete satisfaction of the claim.

( June 17, 1930, ch. 497 , title IV, § 630, as added Pub. L. 103–182, title VI, § 670 , Dec. 8, 1993 , 107 Stat. 2216 .)