18 U.S.C. § 290 — Discharge papers withheld by claim agent

This section applies to a claim agent, attorney, or anyone else who collects pay, pension, or other allowance claims for a soldier, sailor, marine, or commissioned military or naval officer, or for someone who once served in the regular or volunteer forces, or for that person's dependents or beneficiaries. It also applies when that agent is holding the discharge papers of that soldier, sailor, marine, or officer, which were given to the agent to help collect the claim. The agent breaks this law in either of two ways. The agent breaks it by keeping the discharge papers without the consent of the person or people who own them. The agent also breaks it by refusing to hand over the papers, or to account for them, after the owner — or the owner's agent or attorney — properly demands them back. Anyone who breaks this law can be fined under this title, imprisoned for up to six months, or both. That person is also barred from pursuing that same claim in any federal department or agency.