[Request for Refund of Training Expenses]

GAO was asked whether an employee who breached a service agreement by failing to stay with an agency for the requisite period of time could be reimbursed for training expenses which had been collected from the employee. In the case in question, the employee was later rehired by the agency. GAO stated that, when an employee is trained at Government expense, he must sign a service agreement. If the employee voluntarily resigns prior to the end of his obligation, he must pay for the expenses of his training and, once the individual has paid the debt, the debt and the employee's obligation under the agreement are extinguished. Subsequent reemployment of the individual does not obligate the Government to refund the money. Accordingly, the claim presented for a refund was denied.