[Decision Concerning Former Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Employee's Entitlement to Reimbursement for Real Estate Expenses]

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms requested an advance decision regarding a former employee's entitlement to reimbursement for real estate expenses he incurred incident to his transfer. GAO held that the claimant was not entitled to reimbursement, since: (1) settlement on his former residence occurred more than 3 years after he reported to his new duty station; and (2) the authorizing regulation limited reimbursement of relocation expenses to 3 years, and the Bureau could not waive that limitation. GAO noted that the claimant could pursue his request for waiver of the erroneous payment he received for the expenses. Accordingly, the claim was denied.