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B-167461 1 (1978-08-09)

handle is hein.gao/gaobadggm0001 and id is 1 raw text is: 

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DECISION


FILE:  B-167461


IL


K-   ,A.


(> 4,  j-   THE   COMPTROLLQR GENERAL
       ..   OF   THE UNITED STATES
            'ASHINGTON.  D.C. 20BlE


DATE:   Alwit  9, 1978


MATTER OF:      Robert J. Crane--Claim for cattornoy
                fees


DICEST:


Where an employee of the Federal Govern-
ment secures the service of an attorney
to assist him in recovery under unfair
labor practice proceeding and makes claim
for reimbursement for 0uch services, in
the absence of legal authority permitting
reimbursement of those fees and certain
other expenses incident thereto, such a
claim may not be allowed.


     This action is in resnonse to correspondence from Mr. Robert J.
Crane, a former Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) emplayei
stationed at Bellingham, Washington, concerning his entitlement to
be reimbursed for attorney's fees In connection with an unfair laor
practice proceeding initiated by htm,

     The file shows that the employee made claim for buckpay, travel
and per diem expenses believed due in connection with an earlier
unfair labor practice proceeding which he attcnd:1 as a witness.
That claim was turned down by the FAA on the basis of a finding that
he was in a nonduty, nonofficial status during the period covered
by that claim.  The employee thereafter initiated an unfair Labor
practice proceeding and secured the services of counsel Lo assist
him in pursuing recovery.  In time, the question as to xwhetel.r the
FAA could use appropriated funds for rLe payment of the employce's
claim was administiatively resolved in his favor and he was reim--
bursed for those expenses, but not for his attotney's fees or
incidental expenses ir urred in connection wiLh a trip made by him
to Auburi, W.ashington, for counseling with his attorney prior to
resolution of the clim.

     The matter of those facs and i-cidental expenses was the sub-
ject of letter  -167461, dated FebrLnry 22, 1977, addresseG to the
employce's atiorney, which advised that * -: aLtorney's fees
are not payable in thi absence of specific statutory authority. We
are unaware of any statutory authority authorizing payment of a
claim for attorney's fees in connection with an unfair labor practice
proceed in%.









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