[Decision Concerning NOAA Employee's Claim for Reimbursement of Cost of Airline Ticket]

A former National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) employee requested reimbursement for the cost of an airline ticket. The agency had denied reimbursement since the employee's secretary had violated regulations when she purchased the ticket with his personal credit card instead of a government credit card. GAO held that: (1) NOAA could reimburse the employee since he submitted evidence showing that he actually paid the amount claimed; and (2) since the employee's secretary inadvertently purchased the ticket with his personal credit card, he did not intend to violate travel regulations. Accordingly, NOAA may reimburse the former employee.