B-217440, B-217440.2 April 16, 1985
Highlights
Jeffcoat: This is in response to two recent requests for relief under 31 U.S.C. The first request is for the relief of Lieutenant Colonel T.F. The second request is for the relief of Major R.J. We have consolidated the two requests because both losses resulted from the criminal activity of Lieutenant Colonel John T. Properly supervised their employees by establishing and maintaining adequate office procedures to safeguard the funds for which they were accountable. Were in accord with established directives and that they exercised due care. Collection action is being taken against Colonel Thomas by offsetting his debts against his retired pay.
B-217440, B-217440.2 April 16, 1985
Mr. Clyde E. Jeffcoat Principal Deputy Commander United States Finance and Accounting Center Indianapolis, Indiana 46249
Dear Mr. Jeffcoat:
This is in response to two recent requests for relief under 31 U.S.C. Sec. 3527(c) for four accountable officers. The first request is for the relief of Lieutenant Colonel T.F. Conrad and cashier Carol Porter for an improper payment of $1,800 subsequently reduced to $800 through collection action. The second request is for the relief of Major R.J. Miller and cashier George A. Williams, Jr., for an improper payment of $1,800. As explained below, we grant relief in both instances.
We have consolidated the two requests because both losses resulted from the criminal activity of Lieutenant Colonel John T. Thomas, retired, who apparently stole the wallet and identification card of Lieutenant Colonel Davis O. Treadwell from a wall locker at the Pentagon Athletic facility. Colonel Thomas used the stolen identification to obtain travel advances from the finance and accounting offices of several east coast military installations. One request for relief of two accountable officers who gave Colonel Thomas a travel advance when presented with the identification card stolen from Colonel Treadwell has previously been allowed. See B-217440, February 13, 1985. The facts in that case indicate that Mr. Thomas' physical appearance resembled the photograph on the identification card presented to the cashier.
The submission demonstrates that both accountable officers, Major R.J. Miller and Colonel T.F. Conrad, properly supervised their employees by establishing and maintaining adequate office procedures to safeguard the funds for which they were accountable. Even the most carefully established and effectively supervised system cannot prevent all criminal activity. B-202911, June 29, 1981.
The record in both cases establishes that the actions of the cashiers, Mr. Williams and Ms. Porter, were in accord with established directives and that they exercised due care. B-192558, December 7, 1978.
Collection action is being taken against Colonel Thomas by offsetting his debts against his retired pay.
Accordingly, we grant relief to Colonel Conrad and Ms. Porter for the improper payment of $1,800 now reduced to $800, and we grant relief to Major Miller and Mr. Williams for the improper payment of $1,800.
Sincerely yours,
(Mrs.) Rollee H. Efros Associate General Counsel