Oil leak won't go away => Oil pump pressure valve?

[carvsdriver at msbx.net (Doug C.)]

So in regards to the oil leak I have at the filter mounting bracket, The local import parts guy said that there was a pressure valve in the pump that could be stuck open, causing the gasket to prematuraly fial.  He said I would probably need to replace the oil pump to cure the leak.

Is there really a pressure valve in the pump, or is there one somewhere else that could be causing this problem?

TIA

-Doug