Strong Mitigating Factors Trump Debarment

In Canales v. Paulson (D.D.C. July 16, 2007, https://ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show_public_doc?2006cv1330-47), the federal district court overturned a Treasury Department debarment from government contracting on the ground that the debarring official did not explain reasons for debarment in the face of strong mitigating factors (spotless record before the offense; five years since the incident; extensive business with the government in the interim; misdemeanor conviction) presented to him at the debarment proceeding.