[NTSB Administrative Law Judge's Claim for Travel Expenses]

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) requested a decision regarding a NTSB administrative law judge's claim for travel expenses incident to an official trip to Germany. NTSB advised that the claimant: (1) requested approval of actual expenses subsistence, when he knew that a per diem rate room was available; (2) extended his stay for personal reasons; and (3) claimed higher rates for lodging than what he actually incurred. GAO held that: (1) there was sufficient evidence to conclude that the claimant knew that lodgings within the per diem rate were available when he requested approval for actual expenses; (2) there was a flight available at government rates the day after the trial concluded and there was no official reason to extend the claimant's stay; (3) the claimant was not entitled to any subsistence expenses incurred after the date of the first available return flight; (4) the claimant was not entitled subsistence expenses incurred during official business, since his claims conflicted with evidence provided by witnesses; and (5) transportation expenses, which were not shown to be doubtful, should not be recouped. Accordingly, NTSB should withhold the claimant's subsistence claims.