A decided public DOHA case, shown for research, not advice or a prediction.
ISCR Case No. 24-01173
Appeal BoardDecided Aug 27, 2025 · Administrative Judge Moira D. Modzelewski · Appeal
Case headnote
Summary
The applicant, representing themselves, faced financial concerns under Guideline F due to 14 delinquent debts totaling approximately $69,700. The applicant admitted to nine delinquencies and denied five, but the Administrative Judge upheld the denial of security clearance, which was later affirmed by the Appeal Board, citing no harmful error was raised by the applicant.
Why the applicant was denied
- The applicant had 14 delinquent debts totaling approximately $69,700, which raised significant financial concerns.
- The applicant admitted to nine of the delinquencies, undermining their case for clearance.
Conditions referenced
Disqualifying
- AG ¶ 19 Financial Considerationsraised
Key rule quoted
“There is no presumption of error below and the appealing party has the burden of raising claims of error with specificity.”
Procedural posture
- SOR issued
- 2024-07-29
- Answer filed
- Applicant represented themselves (pro se).
- Hearing held
- 2025-07-01
- Decision date
- 2025-08-27 Appeal affirmed.
Cite for
- Financial Concerns Under Guideline F
- Burden of Raising Claims of Error on Appeal
- Limitations on New Evidence During Appeal Process
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
The appeal involved a denial of security clearance based on financial considerations. The Applicant did not assert any errors by the Administrative Judge but submitted new evidence, which the Board could not consider. The Board affirmed the decision of the Administrative Judge.
Descriptive structured reading of this decided, public Appeal Board decision: what the case says, not a prediction or advice.
Full decision
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Decision text, by section
Appearances
_______________________________________ ) In the matter of: )
)
)
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ISCR Case No. 24-01173
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) Applicant for Security Clearance ) _______________________________________)
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE DEFENSE LEGAL SERVICES AGENCY DEFENSE OFFICE OF HEARINGS AND APPEALS APPEAL BOARD POST OFFICE BOX 3656 ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22203 (703) 696-4759 Date: August 27, 2025
Appearances
FOR GOVERNMENT Andrea M. Corrales, Esq., Deputy Chief Department Counsel FOR APPLICANT Pro se The Department of Defense (DoD) declined to grant Applicant a security clearance. On July 29, 2024, DoD issued a Statement of Reasons (SOR) advising Applicant of the basis of that decision – security concerns raised under Guideline F (Financial Considerations) of the National Security Adjudicative Guidelines in Appendix A of Security Executive Agent Directive 4 (effective June 8, 2017) and DoD Directive 5220.6 (Jan. 2, 1992, as amended) (Directive). On July 1, 2025, Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals Administrative Judge Mark Harvey denied Applicant national security eligibility. Applicant appealed pursuant to Directive ¶¶ E3.1.28 and E3.1.30. The SOR alleged 14 delinquent debts totaling approximately $69,700. In responding to the SOR, Applicant admitted nine of the delinquencies and denied five. The Judge found adversely on all allegations. There is no presumption of error below and the appealing party has the burden of raising claims of error with specificity. Directive ¶ E3.1.30. On appeal, Applicant makes no assertion of
error on the part of the Judge but rather submits new evidence and requests reconsideration of the adverse decision. The Appeal Board does not review cases de novo and is prohibited from considering new evidence. Directive ¶ E3.1.29. Our authority to review a case is limited to matters in which the appealing party has raised a claim of harmful error. Applicant has alleged no such error, and the Judge’s decision is sustainable.
Order
The decision in ISCR Case No. 24-01173 is AFFIRMED. Signed: Moira Modzelewski Moira Modzelewski Administrative Judge Chair, Appeal Board Signed: Allison Marie Allison Marie Administrative Judge Member, Appeal Board Signed: Jennifer I. Goldstein Jennifer I. Goldstein Administrative Judge Member, Appeal Board