February 3, 2003

In the Matter of the Petition by

LONNY V. RICHARDSON

112 Juniper Lane

at

Springdale, UT 84767-0007

P.S. Docket No. AO 02-495

APPEARANCE FOR PETITIONER:

Robert W. Johnson

NAPUS

7873 South 2100 East

Ogden, UT 84405-9600

APPEARANCE FOR RESPONDENT:

Frank W. Taylor

Labor Relations Representative

United States Postal Service

1760 West 2100 South

Salt Lake City, UT 84199-9401

DISMISSAL

            By Orders dated November 14 and December 4, 2002, and January 8, 2003, Petitioner was directed to advise this office whether he intended to contest Respondent’s $38,126.78 claim against him, but he has not responded to any of the Orders.

Pursuant to section 966.12 (c) of the rules applicable to administrative offset proceedings against former employees, 39 C.F.R. Part 966, the Hearing Official may determine that a former employee has waived his right to a hearing regarding the alleged debt and that an administrative offset may be initiated if the employee fails to file required submissions or to comply with orders of the Hearing Official.  In the January 8 Order, Petitioner was warned that if he failed to respond by January 27, 2003, the Hearing Official would authorize Respondent to initiate an administrative offset for the amount claimed.

Accordingly, for his failure to respond to the above Orders, Petitioner is determined to have waived his right to a hearing regarding the debt.  Respondent may initiate an administrative offset for the debt.

                                                                        Norman D. Menegat

                                                                        Administrative Judge