[USDA Employee's Claim for Legal Fees]

A former employee of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) claimed reimbursement for legal fees he incurred under an investigation by the USDA Office of Inspector General (OIG) on the basis of allegations of impropriety. The claimant contended that OIG advised him to retain legal counsel, since there was a grand jury investigation, and his supervisor agreed to authorize the payment. GAO held that USDA could not use its appropriations to reimburse the claimant, since his legal fees did not advance the government's interests. Accordingly, the claim was denied.