In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated. Terms Defined. “Attorney General” means the Attorney General of Maryland or the Attorney General's designee. “Conviction” includes an accepted plea of nolo contendere, or an accepted plea of guilty. “Debarment” means an administrative action taken by the Secretary disqualifying a person from participating in any program of the Department, including, but not limited to, acting as a developer, builder, contractor or subcontractor to a contractor, grantee, consultant, management company, borrower, owner, or acting as a supplier for work or services being performed for or by the Department, or in connection with a project or residence assisted, funded, financed, insured or otherwise sponsored in whole or in part by the Department, or any combination of these disqualifications. “Department” means the Department of Housing and Community Development, a principal department of the State, including the agencies, boards, commissions, councils, corporations, authorities, trusts, divisions, and all other entities declared by law to be part of the Department. “Governmental entity” means the United States, any state, any governmental agency created by interstate compact, county, bi-county or multi-county governmental agency located within a state, municipality, or any unit of government of the United States, or of any state including any subunit within any of these units. “Person” means an individual, corporation, partnership, or other legal or business entity. “Secretary” means the Secretary of Housing and Community Development. “Suspension” means an administrative action taken by the Secretary disqualifying a person, on a temporary or limited basis, or pending a decision on debarment, from participating in a program of the Department, including, but not limited to, bidding or submitting proposals or acting as a developer, builder, contractor or subcontractor, grantee, consultant, management company, borrower, owner, or acting as a supplier for work or services being performed for or by the Department, or in connection with a project assisted, funded, financed, insured or otherwise sponsored in whole or in part by the Department, or some combination of these disqualifications.