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ISCR Case 14-00892.a1 — CASE

ISCR Case 14-00892.a1denied

Case Headnote

ISCR Case No. 14-00892.a1

deniedJul 12, 2016· Hon. Michael Y. Ra'anan· appeal

Summary

The applicant, representing herself, sought a trustworthiness designation under Guideline F (Financial Considerations) but was ultimately denied due to unresolved delinquent debts, primarily student loans. Disqualifying conditions under AG ¶ 20 were raised, indicating concerns about her financial responsibility.

While mitigating conditions AG ¶ 21(a) and AG ¶ 21(c) were applied, they were insufficient to overcome the identified issues. The applicant failed to demonstrate a stable financial situation or consistent good-faith efforts to resolve her outstanding debts.

The judge noted that many of the debts were long-standing, and the applicant appeared to have only resolved those specifically subject to garnishment. Consequently, the application for a trustworthiness designation was denied.

Why the Applicant Was Denied

The applicant did not demonstrate a stable financial situation.
The applicant failed to show good-faith efforts to resolve her debts.
The judge found that many debts were old and only resolved those subject to garnishment.

Conditions Referenced

Disqualifying

AG ¶ 20raisedFinancial Considerations

Mitigating

AG ¶ 21(a)rejectedThe Behavior Was Not RecentThe applicant's debts were longstanding and unresolved.
AG ¶ 21(c)rejectedThe Applicant Has Made Good-faith Efforts to Repay the DebtsThe judge concluded that the applicant had not initiated a good-faith effort to pay her debts.

Key Rule Quoted

“such a determination 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 issuedApr 20, 2015
Answer filed—Applicant requested a decision on the written record.
Hearing heldMar 30, 2016
Decision dateJul 12, 2016

Cite For

Denial Based on Unresolved Delinquent Debts Under Guideline F
Insufficient Demonstration of Good-faith Efforts to Resolve Financial Issues
Consideration of National Security Interests in Trustworthiness Determinations

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

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 cites to evidence that she argues the Judge failed to consider. The Judge made findings about much of those matters and discussed them in his analysis. Applicant has not rebutted the presumption that the Judge considered all of the evidence in the record. Adverse decision affirmed. CASE NO: 14-00892.a1 DATE: 07/12/2016 DATE: July 12, 2016 In Re: ------------

Applicant for Public Trust Position ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ADP Case No. 14-00892

APPEAL BOARD DECISION

APPEARANCES

FOR GOVERNMENT James B. Norman, Esq., Chief Department Counsel FOR APPLICANT Pro se The Department of Defense (DoD) declined to grant Applicant a trustworthiness designation. On April 20, 2015, DoD issued a statement of reasons (SOR) advising Applicant of the basis for that decision–trustworthiness concerns raised under Guideline F (Financial Considerations) of Department of Defense Directive 5220.6 (Jan. 2, 1992, as amended) (Directive). Applicant requested a decision on the written record. On March 30, 2016, after considering the record, Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA) Administrative Judge Martin H. Mogul denied Applicant’s request for a trustworthiness designation. Applicant pursuant to Directive ¶¶ E3.1.28 and E3.1.30. Applicant raised the following issues on appeal: whether the Judge failed to consider all of the evidence in the record, rendering his overall decision arbitrary, capricious, or contrary to law. Consistent with the following, we affirm. The Judge’s Findings of Fact Applicant’s SOR lists several delinquent debts, for such things as utilities, television services, student loans, etc. Applicant admitted the debts that the Judge resolved against her, the largest being the three student loans. The Judge noted Applicant’s evidence that she was making payments on some of the debts and that she disputed others. For many of the debts alleged, however, Applicant was not making payments until she had resolved others. Concerning the student loans, she stated that she had maxed out her Federal funding before she had completed a bachelor’s degree. She stated that she had a payment plan for them. Applicant’s husband has been diagnosed with multiple severe illnesses. He is unable to work and requires continuing treatment. Her son has also been diagnosed with a disorder that requires treatment. Her wages were garnished last year, and during that time she and her family were almost evicted from their apartment and almost had their utilities shut off. Applicant states that she is working with various creditors to resolve her problems. She acknowledges that some of her debts are very old. She states that she plans to dispute her debts, but she does not deny that she incurred them. She has explored bankruptcy, but her student loans are not dischargeable. Therefore, she has not filed for bankruptcy on the ground that it would not help her financial condition in a measurable way. Applicant acknowledges that she has “made some very poor financial decisions.” Decision at 5. She states that she takes “full responsibility” for her situation and is working to address her problems. She has taken on part-time jobs and has worked overtime. The Judge’s Analysis The Judge resolved five of the SOR allegations in Applicant’s favor. For the remainder, however, he entered adverse findings. He stated that many of her debts are old, and the only ones that had been resolved were those that were the subject of garnishment actions. He concluded that she had not initiated a good-faith effort to pay her debts, nor had she shown that her financial situation is stable.

DISCUSSION

Applicant cites to evidence that she argues the Judge failed to consider. This includes her family’s illnesses, her efforts at debt resolution, the circumstances underlying her student loan debts, etc. The Judge made findings about much of this evidence and discussed it in his analysis. Applicant has not rebutted the presumption that the Judge considered all of the evidence in the record. Neither is it sufficient to show that the Judge weighed the evidence in a manner that was arbitrary, capricious, or contrary to law. See, e.g., ISCR Case No. 14-05795 at 2 (App. Bd. Apr. 26, 2016). Applicant cites to the effect that an adverse decision will have on her finances. We are not permitted to consider the impact of an unfavorable decision upon an applicant. See, e.g., ISCR Case No. 14-02619 at 3 (App. Bd. Apr. 7, 2016).

The Judge examined the relevant data and articulated a satisfactory explanation for the decision. The decision is sustainable on this record. The standard applicable to trustworthiness cases is that set forth in Department of the Navy v. Egan, 484 U.S. 518, 528 (1988) regarding security clearances: such a determination “may be granted only when ‘clearly consistent with the interests of the national security.’” See, e.g., ADP Case No. 12-04343 at 3 (App. Bd. May 21, 2013). See also Kaplan v. Conyers, 733 F.3d 1148 (Fed. Cir. 2013), cert. denied.

ORDER

The Decision is AFFIRMED. Signed: Michael Y. Ra’anan Michael Y. Ra’anan Administrative Judge Chairperson, Appeal Board Signed: James E. Moody James E. Moody Administrative Judge Member, Appeal Board Signed: James F. Duffy James F. Duffy Administrative Judge Member, Appeal Board