[Request for Decision Concerning Employee's Reimbursement of Forfeited Motel Room Deposit]

The Army requested a decision regarding an employee's claim for reimbursement for lodging expenses incident to a cancelled temporary duty assignment. The claimant was scheduled to travel and made motel reservations, but the Army cancelled the trip and the claimant was unable to timely inform the motel of the cancellation. GAO held that: (1) the Army properly determined that the claimant failed to display reasonable prudence when he did not notify the motel of the cancellation; and (2) the claimant presented no evidence to refute the Army's conclusion. Accordingly, the claim was denied.