31 U.S.C. § 3728 : US Code - Section 3728: Setoff against judgment

Search 31 U.S.C. § 3728 : US Code - Section 3728: Setoff against judgment

(a) The Secretary of the Treasury shall withhold paying that part
of a judgment against the United States Government presented to the
Secretary that is equal to a debt the plaintiff owes the
Government.
(b) The Secretary shall -
(1) discharge the debt if the plaintiff agrees to the setoff
and discharges a part of the judgment equal to the debt; or
(2)(A) withhold payment of an additional amount the Secretary
decides will cover legal costs of bringing a civil action for the
debt if the plaintiff denies the debt or does not agree to the
setoff; and
(B) have a civil action brought if one has not already been
brought.
(c) If the Government loses a civil action to recover a debt or
recovers less than the amount the Secretary withholds under this
section, the Secretary shall pay the plaintiff the balance and
interest of 6 percent for the time the money is withheld.