[Request for Review of Claims Group's Settlement Denying Backpay Claim]

A Department of Defense employee requested a review of the Claims Group's denial of her claim for backpay and relocation expenses incident to her allegedly forced resignation. The claimant worked at an Air Force base and assisted in an investigation of overtime fraud. After the investigation, she resigned, relocated, and subsequently began working at another Air Force base. The claimant contended that: (1) since she feared poor performance appraisals as a result of her involvement in the investigation, she was forced to resign; (2) she was entitled to full backpay for the period during which she was unemployed; (3) since she was working at a reduced grade level at her new job, she was entitled to the difference in compensation levels; and (4) she was entitled to reimbursement for her relocation expenses. GAO held that: (1) the Merit Systems Protection Board should decide the validity of the employee's claim that she involuntarily resigned; and (2) there was no basis upon which to reimburse the claimant for relocation expenses. Accordingly, the Claims Group's determination was sustained.