§1934 Waiver by Chief of Capitol Police of Claims Arising Out of Erroneous Payments to Officers and Employees

Summary

The Chief of the United States Capitol Police can forgive, in whole or in part, the government’s claim to recover a mistaken payment of pay or allowances (but not travel or transportation money) paid to a Capitol Police officer, member, or employee. The Chief needs joint approval from the Chief Administrative Officer of the House and the Secretary of the Senate. The Chief must investigate each request and send a written report about the facts to those two officials. If the total claim is more than $1,500, the Comptroller General may also investigate and report. The Chief cannot forgive a claim if there is evidence of fraud, misrepresentation, fault, or bad faith, or if the request comes in later than 3 years after the mistaken payment was discovered. Waived amounts must be credited in audits and are treated as valid payments. The Chief must create rules to carry out this authority, with the same approvals, and the rule applies to payments made after the Chief became the disbursing officer under section 1907(a).