Army Employees' Claims for Mileage Expenses for Commute to Temporary Duty Site

Five Army civilian employees claimed mileage expenses incurred in traveling to a temporary duty site, contending that mileage erroneously paid to another employee similarly situated provided a basis for paying these claims. GAO held that: (1) although mileage may be allowed for privately owned vehicle travel from residence to a nearby temporary duty site, these employees were not entitled to payment, since the Army did not authorize mileage expenses; and (2) there was no basis for paying these claims. Accordingly, the employees' claims for mileage expenses were denied and the settlement which certified the erroneous payment to another employee for such expenses was overruled.