Opinion ID: 567285
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Necessary to the Administrative Decision

Text: 18 The administrative judge's determination that Bailes had disbursed project funds in violation of the regulatory agreement was necessary to the administrative decision to debar Bailes from further participation in HUD programs for five years. The administrative judge found the charge against Bailes of wrongful disbursement of project funds to be the most serious charge against him. Id. at 552. Furthermore, the administrative judge stated that her decision to debar Bailes from further participation in HUD programs for five years was based on the financial violation of the regulatory agreements. Id. at 553-54. Thus, the administrative judge's finding that Bailes had made unauthorized use of project funds was essential to her administrative decision. 19 The district court properly applied the five-part Pantex Towing test. Accordingly, the district court correctly determined that the doctrine of collateral estoppel precluded the relitigation of the factual issues before HUD's Board of Contract Appeals.