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                            September 11, 1997
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                             GSBCA 14168-TRAV


                       In the Matter of THOMAS GOZZO


     Thomas Gozzo, Waldorf, MD, Claimant.

     Thomas L. Prochazka, Chief, Liaison Office, Directorate of
Support Services, Defense Finance Accounting Service, Denver, CO,
appearing for Department of Defense.

DeGRAFF, Board Judge.

     In 1995, Thomas Gozzo was a civilian employee of the United
States Air Force (Air Force) at his permanent duty station in
Naples, Italy.  On October 5, 1995, Mr. Gozzo s brother called to
tell him that their mother was ill, and that her doctor suggested
that Mr. Gozzo come to Connecticut to see her as soon as possible. 
Mr. Gozzo immediately made airline reservations for himself, his
wife, and their two children to travel to the United States on the
morning of October 6.  Mr. Gozzo believed that he would be
reimbursed by the Government for his travel expenses, and the
commander of the detachment in Naples stated that he would issue
emergency travel orders so that Mr. Gozzo could be reimbursed for
his travel expenses.  The Air Force issued the emergency travel
orders on October 15, 1995, after Mr. Gozzo and his family left for
Connecticut. 

     Mr. Gozzo and his family returned to Naples on October 27,
1995, and he submitted a travel voucher on October 30, 1995.  The
commander in Naples told Mr. Gozzo that no authority exists to
reimburse civilian Air Force employees for the expenses they incur
in the course of personal emergency travel, and he revoked
Mr. Gozzo s travel orders when he realized that the orders were
unauthorized.  Mr. Gozzo states that he made his travel
arrangements in good faith and at a time of great stress, and that
he assumed that he would be reimbursed for his travel expenses.

     We have no doubt that Mr. Gozzo acted in good faith when he
made his travel arrangements.  Unfortunately, however, neither we
nor the Air Force can direct the payment of public funds in a
manner that is not authorized by statute or by regulation.  Like
the Air Force, we have been unable to find any authority which
would support reimbursing Mr. Gozzo for his personal travel
expenses.  Although the Air Force commander in Naples confirmed
Mr. Gozzo s mistaken belief that the Air Force would reimburse
Mr. Gozzo for his travel expenses, a Government employee cannot
bind the Government to expend money in a manner not authorized by
statute or regulation.  Federal Crop Insurance Corp. v. Merrill,
332 U.S. 380 (1947).  Because no statute or regulation authorizes
payment of Mr. Gozzo s expenses, the Air Force correctly denied his
claim.




                                   _______________________________
                                   MARTHA H. DeGRAFF
                                   Board Judge