A decision was requested on a Federal employee's claim for reimbursement of a lost or stolen travel advance. The employee obtained authorization for a cash travel advance that was not ready at the time of her departure on temporary duty. The secretary who prepared the travel advance papers assured the employee that she would pick up the funds during the employee's absence and hold them for her. Th...

MAY NOT BE RELIEVED OF LIABILITY FOR FUNDS WHICH WERE SUBSEQUENTLY LOST OR STOLEN ON THE BASIS THAT SHE NEVER OBTAINED PHYSICAL POSSESSION OF THEM. TRAVEL ADVANCEMENTS ARE IN THE NATURE OF A LOAN TO THE EMPLOYEE AND THUS ARE CONSIDERED TO BE HER PERSONAL FUNDS. EMPLOYEE IS LIABLE FOR THEIR LOSS. SUSAN GOUGE - LOSS OR THEFT OF TRAVEL FUND ADVANCE: ISSUE IS AN EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LOSS OR TH...