CASE · Clearance Adjudication Search EngineCASE

Loading case…

ISCR Case 19-03255 — CASE

DOHA Record Explorer

ISCR Case 19-03255

A decided public DOHA case, shown for research — not advice or a prediction.

Case Profile
Decision Date2/23/2022
Statusdenied
LevelHEARING
TypeSTANDARD ISCR
Participants
Applicant Representation: Pro Se
Judge: Elizabeth M. Matchinski
Government Counsel: Carroll J. Connelley
Case Summary
Applicant was a 67-year-old U.S. citizen who had held a security clearance for nearly 15 years. The Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA) reviewed his case under Guideline B, concerning foreign influence, due to his ongoing contact with a cousin in Pakistan and substantial financial interests in the country. The Statement of Reasons (SOR) outlined concerns regarding his familial ties and property ownership in Pakistan, which included two bank accounts and real estate valued at approximately $160,000.
During the proceedings, Applicant admitted to having a cousin and stepfamily residing in Pakistan and acknowledged his financial interests there, including an Overseas Pakistan ID card necessary for transactions. However, he denied any significant current contact with his stepmother or stepbrothers, asserting that his interactions with his cousin were infrequent and primarily related to property management. The administrative judge found that the applicant's ties to Pakistan, particularly the financial stakes and familial connections, posed an unacceptable risk of undue foreign influence.
Ultimately, the administrative judge ruled against granting the security clearance, citing the substantial nature of the applicant's foreign connections and financial interests as a significant risk to national security. The judge concluded that these factors outweighed the applicant's long-standing service and contributions to the U.S. defense sector.
Guidelines Evaluated
- Guideline BForeign Influence · For Applicant
- Guideline BForeign Influence · Against Applicant
- Guideline BForeign Influence · Withdrawn
Similar decisions
Other decisions whose allegations read most like this one. Descriptive similarity of the allegations only — not a prediction.
Finding similar decisions…

Case Headnote

ISCR Case No. 19-03255

deniedFeb 23, 2022· Hon. Elizabeth M. Matchinski· hearing

Summary

A 67-year-old U.S. citizen, originally from Pakistan, was denied a security clearance under Guideline B (Foreign Influence). The denial was based on significant foreign influence concerns, specifically citing the applicant's substantial property and financial interests in Pakistan, and ongoing reliance on a cousin in Pakistan to manage these assets.

The judge identified several disqualifying conditions, including the applicant's family ties and property interests in Pakistan, which were deemed to create an unacceptable risk of undue foreign influence. While mitigating conditions were considered, they were not sufficient to overcome the security concerns.

Ultimately, the judge concluded that the applicant's substantial assets in Pakistan, combined with the reliance on a cousin for property management, posed an unacceptable risk of foreign influence. This led to the denial of the applicant's security clearance eligibility.

Why the Applicant Was Denied

The applicant has substantial property and financial interests in Pakistan, creating an unacceptable risk of undue foreign influence.
The applicant's reliance on a cousin in Pakistan to manage his property indicates a potential for foreign influence.
The applicant's family ties in Pakistan, including a cousin who manages his property, were deemed significant enough to warrant denial of clearance eligibility.

Conditions Referenced

Disqualifying

AG ¶ 7(a)appliedContact with Foreign Family Members
AG ¶ 7(b)appliedPotential Conflict of Interest
AG ¶ 7(f)appliedSubstantial Financial Interests in a Foreign Country

Mitigating

AG ¶ 8(b)appliedMinimal Conflict of Interest
AG ¶ 8(c)rejectedCasual and Infrequent ContactThe applicant's contact with his cousin is not casual as it involves substantial property interests.
AG ¶ 8(f)rejectedRoutine Nature of Foreign InterestsThe applicant's real estate assets in Pakistan are substantial and could be used to influence him.

Key Rule Quoted

“The protection of the national security is the paramount consideration.”

Procedural Posture

SOR issuedJan 3, 2020
Answer filedJan 22, 2020
Hearing heldDec 2, 2021In-person hearing due to pandemic delays.
Decision dateFeb 23, 2022

Cite For

Foreign Influence Concerns Under Guideline B
Impact of Substantial Foreign Financial Interests on Security Clearance Eligibility
The Significance of Familial Ties in Assessing Security Risks

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.