[Request for Reconsideration of Loan Origination Fee Claim]

An employee of the Drug Enforcement Administration appealed a Claims Group denial of his claim for reimbursement of a 1-percent loan origination fee. The fee was incurred in connection with the claimant's purchase of a residence incident to his change of official duty station. The claimant contended that he was transferred to his new duty station and that his travel orders authorized reimbursement of necessary, reasonable, and customary expenses incurred in the sale and purchase of residences at the old and new duty stations. GAO held that, since the fee was stated as a loan origination fee, it was a finance charge within the meaning of the governing regulation, reimbursement of which is precluded, absent itemization to show that items are excluded from the definition of a finance charge. Accordingly, the Claims Group decision was sustained.