Claim for Backpay and Request for Reconsideration of Denial of Waiver of Overpayment

An employee appealed the denial of his application for waiver of a salary overpayment resulting from a premature step increase. He also claimed backpay, arguing that his temporary promotion was terminated by a supervisor serving on an improper detail who was not authorized to take such action. The denial was sustained since the employee should have been aware of the federal pay structure, made no inquiry concerning the increase, and therefore, was not without fault. He was not entitled to backpay since the supervisor was a de facto employee and his acts were valid as to third parties.