Continuance of disbursing officer’s accounts and issuance of checks

§ 2212. Continuance of disbursing officer’s accounts and issuance of checks (a) In case of the death, resignation, or separation from office of the disbursing officer for the Post Office Department his accounts may be continued and payments made in his name by the assistant disbursing officers designated by the Postmaster General or designated by any official of the Post Office Department authorized by the Postmaster General to make such a designation, for a period of time not to extend beyond the last day of the second month following the month in which the death, resignation or separation occurs. The accounts and payments shall be allowed, audited, and settled and the checks signed in the name of the former disbursing officer for the Post Office Department shall be honored in the same manner as if the former disbursing officer for the Post Office Department had continued in office. (b) A former disbursing officer for the Post Office Department, his estate, or the surety on his official bond, is not subject to legal liability or penalty for the official accounts and defaults of the assistant disbursing officers acting in the name or in the place of the former disbursing officer, but the assistant disbursing officers and their sureties are responsible therefor.