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ISCR Case 08-11782.a1 — CASE

ISCR Case 08-11782.a1denied

Case Headnote

ISCR Case No. 08-11782.a1

Feb 17, 2010· Hon. Michael Y. Ra'anan· appeal

Summary

A security clearance applicant, representing himself, was denied clearance under Guideline F (Financial Considerations) due to significant financial issues. The applicant had numerous delinquent debts totaling $33,434, which raised disqualifying conditions under Adjudicative Guideline Paragraph 20.

The appeal board upheld the denial, citing the applicant's failure to demonstrate responsible financial behavior. Specifically, the applicant did not establish a meaningful track record of debt repayment, nor did he present a viable plan to address his outstanding obligations.

Ultimately, the board concluded that the applicant had not mitigated the financial concerns, leading to the denial of his security clearance.

Conditions Referenced

Disqualifying

AG ¶ 20raisedFinancial Considerations

Key Rule Quoted

“The general standard is that a clearance may be granted only when ‘clearly consistent with the interests of the national security.’”
— Department of the Navy v. Egan, 484 U.S. 518, 528 (1988)

Procedural Posture

SOR issuedJun 25, 2009
Answer filed—Pro se representation
Hearing heldNov 20, 2009
Decision dateFeb 17, 2010

Cite For

Failure to Demonstrate Responsible Financial Behavior Under Guideline F
Lack of a Meaningful Debt Repayment Track Record
Harmless Error in Findings of Fact Regarding Debt Amounts

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 involved an applicant seeking a security clearance who was denied due to financial considerations under Guideline F. The applicant raised several issues regarding the Judge's findings and analysis. The Board affirmed the Judge's decision, finding no harmful error in the proceedings.

Appealed bythe applicant

Applicant representationPro se (self-represented)

Judge belowThomas M. Crean — denied the clearance

Decided ona hearing

Guidelines belowGuideline F

What the Board reviewed

Judge mis-weighed or ignored evidence — raised by the applicantRejected
Applicant argued that the Judge ignored record evidence favorable to him.
Whole-person analysis — raised by the applicantRejected
Applicant contended that the Judge's whole-person analysis was erroneous.
Decision arbitrary, capricious, or contrary to law — raised by the applicantRejected
Applicant claimed that the Judge's adverse security clearance decision was arbitrary, capricious, or contrary to law.
Erroneous finding of fact — raised by the applicantRejected
Applicant challenged the Judge's findings of fact regarding the total amount of his debts.

Error found, but harmless. The Board agreed the judge made a mistake but affirmed anyway, because it did not change the outcome.

Why the Board ruled this way

The Board found no harmful error in the Judge's decision, affirming that the Judge's findings were supported by substantial evidence and that the decision was not arbitrary or capricious.

Standard of review applied

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

Appeal Board panel

Michael Y. Ra’anan — Chair
William S. Fields
James E. Moody

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 DIGEST: Applicant failed to demonstrate responsible behavior in regard to his debts, nor did he establish a meaningful track record of debt repayment. Any error in the Judge’s findings regarding the total amount of Applicant’s debts is harmless. Adverse decision affirmed. CASENO: 08-11782.a1 DATE: 02/17/2010 DATE: February 17, 2010 In Re: ----------------

Applicant for Security Clearance ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ISCR Case No. 08-11782

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 June 25, 2009, DOHA issued a statement of reasons (SOR) advising Applicant of the basis for that decision–security concerns raised under Guideline F (Financial Considerations) of Department of Defense Directive 5220.6 (Jan. 2, 1992, as amended) (Directive). Applicant requested a hearing. On November 20, 2009, after the hearing, Administrative Judge Thomas M. Crean denied Applicant’s request for a security clearance. Applicant appealed pursuant to Directive ¶¶ E3.1.28 and E3.1.30. Applicant raised the following issues on appeal: whether certain of the Judge’s findings of fact were supported by substantial record evidence; whether the Judge ignored record evidence favorable to Applicant; whether the Judge’s whole-person analysis was erroneous; and whether the Judge’s adverse security clearance decision is arbitrary, capricious, or contrary to law. Finding no error, we affirm. The Judge found that Applicant had numerous delinquent debts for medical expenses, credit cards, telephone services, etc. The total amount of the debt was $33,434. Although Applicant’s financial problems originated in an economic downturn that was outside his control, the Judge concluded that Applicant had not demonstrated responsible behavior in regard to his finances, nor had he established a “meaningful track record” of debt repayment. “He has not presented a concrete systematic plan for resolving his debt problems. He has no payment plans in place, and no methods of saving to pay debts. He has sufficient monthly income to not only meet his present obligations, but to make some payments on delinquent debts.” Decision at 8. Accordingly, the Judge concluded that Applicant had failed to meet his burden of persuasion as to mitigation. Applicant challenges some of the Judge’s findings of fact, for example the exact total amount of Applicant’s delinquent debts. However, under the facts of this case, the difference in amounts is without security significance. Therefore, if the Judge committed error, it was harmless. See ISCR Case No. 01-23362 (App. Bd. Jun. 5, 2006); ISCR Case No. 03-09915 (App. Bd. Dec. 16, 2004); ISCR Case No. 01-11192 (App. Bd. Aug. 26, 2002). Although Applicant contends that the Judge did not consider his testimony concerning his monthly expenses, his presentation on appeal is not sufficient to rebut the presumption that the Judge has considered all the record evidence. See, e.g., ISCR Case No. 07-00196 at 3 (App. Bd. Feb. 20, 2009); ISCR Case No. 07-00553 at 2 (App. Bd. May 23, 2008). Finally, we conclude that the Judge’s whole-person analysis complied with the requirements of Directive ¶ E2.2.1, in that the Judge considered the totality of Applicant’s conduct in reaching his decision. See ISCR Case No. 05-03948 at 3-4 (App. Bd. May 21, 2007); ISCR Case No. 04-09959 at 6 (App. Bd. May 19, 2006). After reviewing the record, the Board concludes that the Judge examined the relevant data and articulated a satisfactory explanation for the 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)). The Judge’s adverse decision is sustainable on this record. “The general standard is that a clearance may be granted only when ‘clearly consistent with the interests of the national security.’” Department of the Navy v. Egan, 484 U.S. 518, 528 (1988).

ORDER

The Judge’s adverse security clearance decision is AFFIRMED. Signed: Michael Y. Ra’anan Michael Y. Ra’anan Administrative Judge Chairperson, Appeal Board Signed: William S. Fields William S. Fields Administrative Judge Member, Appeal Board Signed: James E. Moody James E. Moody Administrative Judge Member, Appeal Board