October 22, 2002

In the Matter of the Petition by

GRISEL WHITEMORE

9140 Collins Avenue, Apt. B

at

Surfside, FL 33154-3143

P.S. Docket No. DCA 02-401

APPEARANCE FOR PETITIONER:

Edward Cuevas

16000 Pines Boulevard

Pembroke Pines, FL  33082-9699

APPEARANCE FOR RESPONDENT:

Laura Taylor-Laury

Labor Relations Specialist

United States Postal Service

2200 NW 72nd Avenue

Miami, FL  33152-0779

FINAL DECISION UNDER THE DEBT COLLECTION ACT OF 1982

            The Petition in this case was received on August 9, 2002.  By Order dated September 6, 2002, Respondent was informed that the Answer was overdue and that an Answer or other appropriate pleading must be received by September 17, 2002 or the Petition could be granted without further notice.

            On September 17, 2002, Respondent requested a further extension of time, based on an unusual delay in Respondent's assigned representative receiving the case.  That request was granted and a due date of October 4, 2002 was set, in an Order dated September 20, 2002.

            No Answer was filed.  An Order dated October 9, 2002 informed Respondent that if an Answer or other appropriate pleading was not received in this office by October 18, 2002, the Petition would be granted without further notice.

            Nothing having been filed by Respondent, the Petition is granted.  Respondent may not collect the alleged debt from Petitioner's salary.

                                                                        Bruce R. Houston

                                                                        Chief Administrative Law Judge