[Request for Review of Forest Service Finding That Employee Was Liable for Loss]

A Forest Service employee requested that GAO review a Forest Service decision which found him liable for the loss of a Forest Service truck. The employee parked his assigned vehicle in a Federal parking lot, left the keys under the front seat of the truck, and left work for the evening. The truck was stolen and driven into the water from a boat ramp. The Forest Service held the employee negligent and liable for the depreciated value of the truck, less the estimated salvage value. GAO held that, under Forest Service regulations, the Forest Service finding of negligence had a reasonable basis, given that the truck was parked unsecured in an area with a known history of vandalism. Accordingly, the Forest Service decision was sustained.