Claim for Funeral Travel Expenses

A U.S. Customs Service patrol officer appealed the denial of his claim for travel expenses incurred in connection with his attendance at the funeral of the son of a coworker. The officer was issued a travel order authorizing the reimbursement of travel expenses to be incurred by him in attending the funeral. He was told that he would be sent as the official representative of his duty station. He attended the funeral under travel orders with the approval of the Patrol Director and was reimbursed for the travel expenses incurred. It was also reported that, while on the travel in question, the officer visited post personnel and discussed Customs Service patrol officer matters with the station supervisor. Subsequently, the Customs Service realized that the travel order approving the expense was outside the scope of authority granted the authorizing official under the applicable law and regulations. Therefore, the officer was advised that he would be required to repay the amount paid to him for travel expenses. GAO concurred with the agency and held that the travel expenses could not lawfully be approved by the authorizing official. Accordingly, the officer was required to repay the expenses to the Customs Service.