[Claim for Reimbursement of Real Estate Expenses]
Highlights
The National Security Agency (NSA) requested a decision concerning the claim of a transferred employee for reimbursement of real estate expenses incurred in the sale of a residence at his old duty station. NSA denied reimbursement because the residence was held in the name of the employee's wife and her former husband. The employee claimed that he was entitled to reimbursement because he resided in the house for 4 years making all of the mortgage payments and paid off the mortgage balance. In addition, the proceeds from the sale of the residence went to his wife. Federal Travel Regulations allow for reimbursement to the extent of an employee's interest and provide for pro rata reimbursement. Accordingly, GAO concluded that the employee may be reimbursed for otherwise allowable expenses to the extent of his wife's interest in the property.