B-174244, DEC 8, 1971

B-174244, DEC 8, 1971

CIVILIAN EMPLOYEE - LOSS DUE TO CURRENCY DEVALUATION DECISION GRANTING RELIEF UNDER 31 U.S.C. 82A-1 FOR MR. EDWIN M. KRINTZ, LIBRARY OF CONGRESS DISBURSING OFFICER, IN CONNECTION WITH THE LOSS OF $83.33 RESULTING FROM A CURRENCY DEVALUATION IN YUGOSLAVIA. SINCE THE OFFICER WAS ACTING IN THE DISCHARGE OF HIS OFFICIAL DUTIES AND THE DEFICIENCY OCCURRED WITHOUT FAULT OR NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF THE OFFICER, THE REQUESTED RELIEF IS THEREFORE GRANTED.

TO MR. L. QUINCY MUMFORD:

REFERENCE IS MADE TO YOUR LETTER OF OCTOBER 1, 1971, REQUESTING RELIEF UNDER 31 U.S.C. 82A-1 FOR MR. EDWIN M. KRINTZ, LIBRARY OF CONGRESS DISBURSING OFFICER, SYMBOL NO. 6192, IN CONNECTION WITH THE LOSS OF $83.33 RESULTING FROM A CURRENCY DEVALUATION IN YUGOSLAVIA.

THE FACTS, AS SET OUT IN YOUR LETTER ARE AS FOLLOWS:

"ON FEBRUARY 2, 1967, THE DISBURSING OFFICER ADVANCED $500.00 TO JAMES R. BOWMAN, DIRECTOR AND AGENT CASHIER, PUBLIC LAW 480 PROGRAM, YUGOSLAVIA, TO BE USED FOR SMALL BOOK PURCHASES. MR. BOWMAN CONVERTED THESE FUNDS INTO YUGOSLAVIAN DINARS (AT THE RATE OF 12.50 DINARS TO $1.00), SUBMITTING BILLS FROM TIME TO TIME FOR HIS PURCHASES TO THE EMBASSY AT BELGRADE FOR REPLENISHMENT OF THE FUND.

"ON SEPTEMBER 15, 1971, MR. BOWMAN RECEIVED $416.67 FROM THE EMBASSY IN BELGRADE UPON SURRENDERING THE BALANCE OF DINARS IN THIS ACCOUNT (AT A RATE OF 15.00 DINARS TO $1.00), AND SUBSEQUENTLY DELIVERED THIS AMOUNT TO MR. KRINTZ ON SEPTEMBER 27, 1971. THIS CLOSED OUT THIS ACCOUNT, LEAVING A DEFICIT OF $83.33."

WE CONCUR WITH THE FINDING THAT THE OFFICER WAS ACTING IN THE DISCHARGE OF HIS OFFICIAL DUTIES AND THAT THE DEFICIENCY OCCURRED WITHOUT FAULT OR NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF THE OFFICER.

THE REQUESTED RELIEF IS THEREFORE GRANTED.