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ISCR Case 07-03298.a1 — CASE

ISCR Case 07-03298.a1denied

Case Headnote

ISCR Case No. 07-03298.a1

Jul 16, 2008· Hon. Jean E. Smallin· appeal

Summary

An applicant, representing himself, was denied a security clearance primarily due to significant financial concerns under Guideline F (Financial Considerations). While the judge made a favorable finding for the applicant under Guideline E (Personal Conduct), this was insufficient to overcome the issues related to his financial history.

The denial stemmed from the applicant's lengthy and serious history of failing to meet financial obligations. At the time of the hearing, a substantial number of these debts remained delinquent. The judge determined that the mitigating evidence presented by the applicant was not enough to alleviate the government's security concerns regarding his financial reliability.

The Appeal Board subsequently affirmed the judge's decision, concluding that the reasoning was satisfactory and not arbitrary or capricious. The denial was based on disqualifying conditions raised under AG ¶ 19, with mitigating conditions under AG ¶ 20 being applied but ultimately deemed insufficient.

Conditions Referenced

Disqualifying

AG ¶ 19raisedFinancial Considerations

Mitigating

AG ¶ 20rejectedFinancial ConsiderationsThe judge weighed the mitigating evidence against the length and seriousness of the disqualifying conduct.

Key Rule Quoted

“The presence of some mitigating evidence does not alone compel the Judge to make a favorable security clearance decision.”

Procedural Posture

SOR issuedNov 9, 2007
Answer filed—
Hearing heldApr 7, 2008
Decision dateJul 16, 2008

Cite For

Weighing of Evidence in Security Clearance Cases
Impact of Financial Obligations on Security Clearance Eligibility
Whole-person Analysis in Security Clearance Determinations

Editorial summary generated for research. Not legal advice; not a prediction. Verify against the full decision before relying on any quoted language.

Appeal at a glance· Full written decision

Affirmed

The appeal was filed by the applicant after the Administrative Judge denied their request for a security clearance based on financial considerations under Guideline F. The applicant argued that the Judge did not adequately weigh mitigating evidence and that the decision was unfair. The Board affirmed the Judge's decision, finding no harmful error in the weighing of evidence.

Appealed bythe applicant

Applicant representationPro se (self-represented)

Judge belowMartin H. Mogul — denied the clearance

Decided ona hearing

Guidelines belowGuideline FGuideline E

What the Board reviewed

Decision arbitrary, capricious, or contrary to law — raised by the applicantRejected
Applicant contends that the Judge’s adverse decision should be reversed because the Judge did not give adequate weight to the mitigating evidence.

Why the Board ruled this way

The Board concluded that the Judge examined the relevant data and articulated a satisfactory explanation for his decision, including a rational connection between the facts found and the choice made.

Standard of review applied

Harmful-error gatekeeperSubstantial-evidence reviewArbitrary-and-capricious reviewProcedural complianceNo de-novo re-decisionNo new evidence on appealDeference to the judge’s credibility calls

Appeal Board panel

Michael D. Hipple
Jean E. Smallin
William S. Fields

Descriptive structured reading of this decided, public Appeal Board decision — what the case says, not a prediction or advice.

Full decision

The complete, official text — footnotes and signatures included — is in the original PDF.

Decision text, by section

DEFENSE OFFICE OF HEARINGS AND APPEALS

APPEAL

SYNOPSIS

KEYWORD: Guideline F; Guideline E DIGEST: As the trier of fact, the Judge has to weigh the evidence as a whole and decide whether the favorable evidence outweighs the unfavorable, or vice versa. Adverse decision affirmed. CASENO: 07-03298.a1 DATE: 07/16/2008 DATE: July 16, 2008 In Re: ---------- Applicant for Security Clearance ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ISCR Case No. 07-03298

APPEAL BOARD DECISION

APPEARANCES

FOR GOVERNMENT James B. Norman, Esq., Chief Department Counsel FOR APPLICANT Pro Se The Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA) declined to grant Applicant a security clearance. On November 9, 2007, DOHA issued a statement of reasons (SOR) advising Applicant of the basis for that decision—security concerns raised under Guideline F (Financial Considerations) The Judge’s favorable finding under Guideline E is not at issue on appeal. and Guideline E (Personal Conduct) of Department of Defense Directive 5220.6 (Jan. 2, 1992, as amended) (Directive). Applicant requested a hearing. On April 7, 2008, after the hearing, Administrative Judge Martin H. Mogul denied Applicant’s request for a security clearance. Applicant timely appealed pursuant to the Directive ¶¶ E3.1.28 and E3.1.30. Applicant raised the following issue on appeal: whether the Judge’s adverse clearance decision under Guideline F is arbitrary, capricious or contrary to law.1

Applicant contends that the Judge’s adverse decision should be reversed because the Judge did not give adequate weight to the mitigating evidence, and the decision is “unfair” because he is a responsible person and did not breach workplace security. Applicant’s arguments do not demonstrate that the Judge erred. The presence of some mitigating evidence does not alone compel the Judge to make a favorable security clearance decision. As the trier of fact, the Judge has to weigh the evidence as a whole and decide whether the favorable evidence outweighs the unfavorable evidence, or vice versa. See, e.g., ISCR Case No. 06-10320 at 2 (App. Bd. Nov. 7, 2007). An applicant’s disagreement with the Judge’s weighing of the evidence, or an ability to argue for a different interpretation of the evidence, is not sufficient to demonstrate the Judge weighed the evidence or reached conclusions in a manner that is arbitrary, capricious, or contrary to law. See, e.g., ISCR Case No. 06-17409 at 3 (App. Bd. Oct. 12, 2007). In this case, the Judge found that Applicant had a lengthy and serious history of not meeting financial obligations. At the time of the hearing, Applicant still had a significant number of delinquent debts. In light of the foregoing, the Judge could reasonably conclude that Applicant’s financial problems were still ongoing. See, e.g., ISCR Case No. 05-07747 at 2 (App. Bd. Jul. 3, 2007). The Judge weighed the mitigating evidence offered by Applicant against the length and seriousness of the disqualifying conduct and considered the possible application of relevant mitigating conditions and whole-person factors. He found in favor of Applicant under Guideline E. However, he reasonably explained why the evidence which the Applicant had presented in mitigation was insufficient to overcome the government’s other security concerns. The Board does not review a case de novo. After reviewing the record, the Board concludes that the Judge examined the relevant data and articulated a satisfactory explanation for his decision, “including a ‘rational connection between the facts found and the choice made.’” Motor Vehicle Mfrs. Ass’n of the United States v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 463 U.S. 29, 43 (1983) (quoting Burlington Truck Lines, Inc. v. United States, 371 U.S. 156, 168 (1962). An applicant with good or exemplary job performance may engage in conduct that has negative security implications. The Guidelines set forth in the Directive address a variety of examples of off-duty conduct and circumstances which are a security concern to the government and require a whole-person analysis to determine an applicant’s security eligibility. A whole-person analysis is by its very nature not confined to the workplace. See, e.g. ISCR Case No. 03-19006 at 6 (App. Bd. Oct. 17, 2005). Therefore, the Judge’s ultimate unfavorable security clearance decision under Guideline F is sustainable.

ORDER

The decision of the Judge denying Applicant a security clearance is AFFIRMED. Signed: Michael D. Hipple Michael D. Hipple Administrative Judge Member, Appeal Board Signed: Jean E. Smallin Jean E. Smallin Administrative Judge Member, Appeal Board Signed: William S. Fields William S. Fields Administrative Judge Member, Appeal Board