KEYWORD: Guideline E; Guideline F
DIGEST: Applicant’s appeal brief raises no allegation of error on the part of the Judge.  Rather,
it merely states the decision is in error without identifying any specific error.  Adverse decision
affirmed.
CASENO: 17-00853.a1
DATE: 12/10/2018
DATE: December 10, 2018
In Re:
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Applicant for Security Clearance
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ISCR Case No. 17-00853
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 security clearance.  On
April 19,  2017, DoD issued a statement of reasons (SOR) advising Applicant of the basis for that
decision—security concerns raised under Guideline F (Financial Considerations)  and Guideline E
(Personal Conduct) of Department of Defense Directive 5220.6 (Jan. 2, 1992, as amended)
(Directive).  Applicant requested a hearing.  On October 25, 2018, after the hearing, Administrative
Richard A. Cefola denied Applicant’s request for a security clearance.  Applicant appealed pursuant
to Directive ¶¶ E3.1.28 and E3.1.30.
 Applicant’s appeal brief raises no allegation of error on the part of the Judge.  Rather, it
merely states the decision is in error without identifying any specific error.  There is no presumption
of error below and an appealing party has the burden of raising and demonstrating factual or legal
error by the Judge with specificity.  See, e.g., ISCR Case No. 00-0050 at 2 (App. Bd. Jul. 23, 2001). 
His brief also asserts that he has been an honorable employee for 25 years and is making an effort
to pay his creditors.   
  
The Board does not review cases de novo.  The Appeal Board’s authority to review a case
is limited to cases in which the appealing party has alleged the Judge committed harmful error. 
Because Applicant has not made such an allegation of error, the decision of the Judge denying
Applicant a security clearance is AFFIRMED.
Signed: Michael Ra’anan          
Michael Ra’anan
Administrative Judge
Chairperson, Appeal Board
Signed: James F. Duffy             
James F. Duffy
Administrative Judge
Member, Appeal Board
Signed: Charles C. Hale            
Charles C. Hale
Administrative Judge
Member, Appeal Board
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