[Response to Request for Decision Concerning Reimbursement of Customs Service Employee for Lease Termination Expenses]

The Customs Service requested a decision regarding an employee's claim for lease termination expenses he incurred incident to two necessary temporary duty assignments. The claimant entered into two leases for temporary quarters; after he signed each lease, Customs sent him on a temporary duty assignment which necessitated his breaking the lease. GAO held that: (1) the claimant prudently entered each lease; and (2) since the temporary assignments were necessary and unforeseen, Customs could properly reimburse him for the lease termination expenses. Accordingly, the claim was allowed.