[Question Concerning Claims of Forest Service Employees for Loss of Personal Property]

A Department of Agriculture authorized certifying officer asked whether a Forest Service employee's claim for loss of personal property due to burglary, which occurred through no fault of the employee, may be recognized as a reimbursable claim. The request was prompted by a Forest Service employee's claim after his remote ranger station was burglarized. GAO noted that, since it would have been impractical for the employee to live at quarters other than the ranger station, the station was assigned by the government for claims purposes. GAO noted that employees have the right to seek redress in these circumstances. Accordingly, the employee's claim was cognizable under applicable statutes.