Small Business: Improper Payments of Former Administrator's Expenses

Highlights

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO examined the: (1) accuracy and appropriateness of the Small Business Administration's (SBA) payments for its former Administrator's travel expenses; (2) propriety of SBA payments for continuing legal education courses the former Administrator attended; and (3) number of government-paid trips the former Administrator took to the vicinity of her home.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected	Recommendation	Status
Small Business Administration	The Administrator, SBA, should direct the SBA Comptroller to reexamine all of the former Administrator's travel records and calculate the difference between the amounts SBA paid or reimbursed and the amounts entitled under the federal travel regulations or, where more stringent, SBA travel procedures. The Comptroller's review should include determinations as to: (1) whether travel expenses paid in excess of the federal travel regulations allowance can be properly authorized and justified; (2) the amounts of SBA payments and reimbursements for travel expenses that cannot be authorized and justified; and (3) the extent to which calculating constructive travel changes the amounts entitled for meals and incidental expenses.	Closed – Implemented SBA notified the former Administrator that she had received excess reimbursements totalling $386 and the Administrator has repaid SBA the entire amount. According to the SBA Comptroller, an explanation of how SBA determined the amount of excess reimbursements will be included in letters being prepared for Congress and GAO.
Small Business Administration	SBA should seek reimbursement from the former Administrator for any improper payments the agency made.	Closed – Implemented SBA notified the former Administrator that she had received excess reimbursements totalling $386 and the Administrator has repaid SBA the entire amount. According to the SBA Comptroller, an explanation of how SBA determined the amount of excess reimbursements will be included in letters being prepared for Congress and GAO.

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Claims settlementEducation or training costsExecutive compensationPresidential appointmentsPublic officialsQuestionable paymentsRefunds to governmentTemporary lodging allowancesTransportation expense claimsTravel allowances