[Decision Concerning Federal Employee's Claim for Reimbursement for Relocation Expenses]

A transferred employee claimed reimbursement for the per diem and return travel expenses his non-dependent brother-in-law incurred in accompanying him during relocation, contending that his brother-in-law performed necessary driving and luggage-carrying services that a work-related injury prevented him from performing. GAO held that the claimant failed to show that his brother-in-law was necessary to perform the services, since the claimant was accompanied by his spouse and daughter. Accordingly, the claim was denied.