Collateral estoppel.

(a) When a final determination that the respondent presented or caused to be presented a claim or request for payment falling within the scope of § 402.1 has been rendered in any proceeding in which the respondent was a party and had an opportunity to be heard, the respondent is bound by that determination in any proceeding under this part. (b) A person who has been convicted (whether upon a verdict after trial or upon a plea of guilty or nolo contendere) of a Federal crime charging fraud or false statements is barred from denying the essential elements of the criminal offense if the proceedings under this part involve the same transactions.