PSH-24-0005 - In the Matter of Personnel Security Hearing

On January 26, 2024, an Administrative Judge determined that an Individual should be granted an access authorization under 10 C.F.R. Part 710. The Individual's employer submitted a request to the local security office (LSO) for the Individual to be granted a security clearance. The LSO subsequently initiated a background investigation on the Individual to determine his fitness to hold a security clearance. The investigation revealed that the Individual had failed to file a federal tax return for 2022 and had three unpaid medical collection accounts totaling $9,455 which resulted from a unexpected visit to a hospital for treatment. 

The Individual presented convincing evidence that after being contacted by DOE he submitted his 2022 Federal tax return and received a refund. He also provided testimony that he had paid a number of hospital bills but had not known about the three accounts in collections. The Individual immediately paid off two of the accounts and set up a payment plan for the remaining account for which he has begun payments. The Individual also submitted documentary evidence confirming his testimony concerning the filing of his 2022 Federal Tax return and his progress in resolving the three collection accounts. Additionally, the Individual provided documentation concerning his monthly expenses and the amount of money that he has available at the end of the month. . After considering all of the testimony and exhibits, the Administrative Judge found the Guideline F security concern had been resolved. Consequently, the Administrative Judge found that Individual's access authorization should be granted. (Richard A. Cronin, Jr.) (OHA Case No. PSH-24-0005, Cronin)