United States v. Ralph M. Crow

The General Services Administration possesses a delegated authority to issue rules whose violation will constitute a crime. A GSA regulation promulgated pursuant to 40 U.S.C. § 318a sets a standard whose violation may be punished by a $50 fine or imprisonment for up to 30 days. 40 U.S.C. § 318c. Classified under the general criminal law as “a petty offense,” such violations are criminal. 18 U.S.C. § 1.

In the exercise of this awesome and delegated responsibility, GSA is strictly limited by 40 U.S.C. § 318a. The rules and regulations of GSA are effective and enforceable upon a condition: “that…