Private Law 81–341

That Erik H. Lind-man, warrant officer, retired, United States Coast Guard, is relieved of all liability to refund to the United States any of the compensation paid to him as a civilian employee of the War Department during the period beginning on March 23, 1942, and ending on May 1, 1945, both dates inclusive. The Comptroller General has ruled that $14,069.89 so paid Warrant Officer Lindman was paid in contravention of section 2 of the Appropriation Act of July 31, 1894, as amended (5 U. S. C., sec. 62), although Warrant Officer Lindman was advised

28 Stat. 205.

by a Coast Guard officer before accepting such employment that his receipt of such compensation would not be in contravention of such section, and the Comptroller General has recognized “that, such employment was due solely to the erroneous construction placed upon the controlling statutes by the administrative office”.

Sec. 2.

The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized and directed to pay, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to the said Erik H. Lindman. the sum of $4,447.01. The payment of such sum shall be in full settlement of all claims of the said Erik H. Lindman against the United States for retired pay for the period beginning on August 1, 1942, and ending on January 31, 1945, both dates inclusive. Although such stun is due and unpaid, the Comptroller General has ruled that such sum should be applied in partial liquidation of the indebtedness asserted under the Act referred to in the first section: Provided, That no part of the amount appropriated in this section in excess of 10 per centum thereof shall be paid or delivered to or received by any agent or attorney on account of services rendered in connection with this claim, and the same shall be unlawful, any contract to the contrary notwithstanding. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be fined in any sum not exceeding $1,000.