[Claim for Reimbursement of Lodging Expenses for Unused Room]

GAO was asked to determine the entitlement of a Small Business Administration (SBA) employee to reimbursement of an expense she sustained in reserving a motel room for a guest of the government. The employee gave her personal credit card number to secure the room. She was billed for the room because the guest did not use the room or cancel the reservation. GAO held that the employee could be reimbursed because: (1) she acted reasonably and within the scope of her responsibility in reserving the room; and (2) the government was never informed that the room would not be used. Accordingly, the claim was sustained.