PSH-17-0077 - In the Matter of Personnel Security Hearing

On January 23, 2018, an OHA Administrative Judge issued a decision in which she determined that an individual’s DOE access authorization should be restored. The LSO relied upon the individual’s outstanding debts in the amount of $9,732 to raise a security concern under Guideline F. The LSO also relied upon four factors:  (1) the individual stated he would resolve all his outstanding debts by December 2017, yet had made no effort to do so by the June 2017 Personnel Security Interview; (2) the individual supported his adult children although he had a monthly budgetary shortfall; (3) the individual admitted that he had a judgment placed against him and agreed to pay monthly installments, but ceased payment without notice to the creditor; and (4) despite acknowledging and understanding the security concerns associated with financial responsibility, the individual had outstanding debts.  First, the individual testified that his financial difficulties arose from his divorce and weather damage to his house.  He also asserted that all his outstanding debts have been paid, having withdrawn money from his 401(k) in order to pay his outstanding financial obligations.  He also testified that he is no longer supporting his adult children. He also explained that he made payments on the judgment when he could, but that the judgment is now paid in full. Having satisfied Guideline F ¶ 20(b), (d), (g), the Administrative Judge found that the individual mitigated the security concerns raised under Guideline F. Consequently, the Administrative Judge found that the individual’s access authorization should be restored.  OHA Case No. PSH-17-0077 (Janet R. H. Fishman)