Rule 15-9-91-4.5 - Ex Parte Contacts4.5.1 After the publication of a particular staff analysis, and before a written decision is made by the State Health Officer, there shall be no ex parte contacts between (a) any person acting on behalf of the applicant or holder of the CON or any person opposed to the issuance or in favor of the withdrawal of the CON and (b) the State Health Officer; the Chief of Staff; the Director of the Office of Health Policy and Planning; the hearing officer; or the staff of Health Planning and Resource Development. The prohibition against ex parte contacts shall not be construed to prohibit contact by and between staff members, a hearing officer, the Director of the Office of Health Policy and Planning, the Chief of Staff, the State Health Officer, and the staff of the Mississippi Attorney General's Office4.5.2 Violation of Miss. Code Ann. §§ 41-7-171 through 41-7-209, or any rules or regulations promulgated in furtherance thereof by intent, fraud, deceit, unlawful design, willful and/or deliberate misrepresentation, or by careless, negligent or incautious disregard for such statutes or rules and regulations, either by persons acting individually or in concert with others, shall constitute a misdemeanor and shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000 for each such offense. Each day of continuing violation shall be considered a separate offense. The venue for prosecution of any such violation shall be in the county of the state wherein any such violation, or portion thereof, occurred.15 Miss. Code. R. 9-91-4.5