B-176721, NOV 9, 1972

B-176721, NOV 9, 1972

CIVILIAN PERSONNEL - FORFEITED VACATION SITE DEPOSIT - CANCELLED LEAVE DECISION DENYING THE CLAIM OF LAWFORD BELL, AN EMPLOYEE OF THE SBA, FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF A DEPOSIT ON A VACATION SITE WHICH WAS FORFEITED FOLLOWING CANCELLATION OF APPROVED LEAVE. ANY PAYMENT BY AN EMPLOYEE FOR MAKING RESERVATIONS INCIDENT TO A SCHEDULED VACATION IS A PERSONAL EXPENSE WHICH DOES NOT BECOME A GOVERNMENT OBLIGATION UPON CANCELLATION OF THE APPROVED LEAVE, SEE 48 COMP. GEN. 75 (1968).

TO MR. WILLIAM C. TURNER:

WE REFER FURTHER TO YOUR LETTER OF AUGUST 1, 1972, WHICH TRANSMITTED A VOUCHER FOR ADVANCE DECISION WHEREIN MR. LAWFORD BELL CLAIMS REIMBURSEMENT OF $40 WHICH AS A DEPOSIT ON A VACATION SITE WAS FORFEITED DUE TO CANCELLATION OF APPROVED LEAVE. IT IS STATED THAT THE CANCELLATION OF LEAVE WAS DUE TO THE DEVASTATION CAUSED BY THE TROPICAL STORM AGNES.

WE ARE UNAWARE OF ANY AUTHORITY WHICH WOULD PERMIT THE REIMBURSEMENT OF THE FORFEITED DEPOSIT TO MR. BELL. ALTHOUGH HE MAY HAVE ACTED IN A PRUDENT MANNER IN MAKING RESERVATIONS INCIDENT TO A SCHEDULED VACATION, ANY PAYMENT INCLUDING THE DEPOSIT IN QUESTION IS IN THE NATURE OF A PERSONAL EXPENSE WHICH DOES NOT BECOME A GOVERNMENT OBLIGATION UPON CANCELLATION OF APPROVED ANNUAL LEAVE. COMPARE 48 COMP. GEN. 75 (1968) AND DECISIONS CITED THEREIN PERTAINING TO FORFEITURES OF HOTEL DEPOSITS INCIDENT TO OFFICIAL BUSINESS.

THE VOUCHER WHICH IS RETURNED HEREWITH MAY NOT BE CERTIFIED FOR PAYMENT.