PSH-24-0158 - In the Matter of Personnel Security Hearing

On November 27, 2024, an Administrative Judge determined that an individual's access authorization under 10 C.F.R. Part 710 should not be granted. The Individual is employed by a DOE contractor in a position that requires him to hold a security clearance. In August 2023, the Individual completed a Questionnaire for National Security Positions. In response to questions about his financial record, the Individual disclosed that in the prior seven years, he "had an account or credit card suspended, charged off, or cancelled for failing to pay as agreed." He further reported that, in the prior seven years, he had defaulted on a loan and had "bills or debts turned over to a collection agency." An August 2023 credit report showed that the Individual had eleven accounts that had been charged off, totaling $26,921; the Individual had five accounts that were in collections, totaling $ 5,079; and the Individual was 180 days past due to a creditor to which he owed $ 6,161. At the hearing, the Individual testified regarding the history and origins of the debts, and he explained the steps he had taken to attempt to resolve the debts. Ultimately, the Administrative Judge found that the Individual had not yet mitigated the Guideline F security concerns, and she concluded that the Individual's access authorization should not be granted. (OHA Case No. PSH-24-0158, Quintana)