Security Clearance Successes

Another SCI Clearance Victory

7/29/2010 -- Bill Savarino saved another SCI clearance at the NSA. This successful appeal involved multiple allegations under Guidelines D (Sexual Behavior), H (Drug Use); and E (Personal Conduct).

Another DOHA Clearance Victory

6/7/2010 -- Bill Savarino saved another clearance before the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA). The applicant was denied a clearance under Guideline E Personal Conduct based on allegations that he had (i) recently smoked marijuana, (ii) demonstrated a pattern of accessing questionable material on a Government computer system; and (iii) stole considerable property from his employer and the employers of his friends. Mr. Savarino was able to overturn the denial following a 4-hour hearing in Arlington, VA.

Another DOHA Clearance Victory

5/18/2010 -- Bill Savarino saved another clearance before the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA). The applicant was denied a clearance under Guideline D Sexual Behavior, Guideline E Personal Conduct, and Guideline M Use of Information Technology Systems. For over a year, the applicant had viewed pornography on his work issued laptop both at his office and while away on business. The Department of Defense also alleged that the applicant had engaged in sexual misconduct in his office. Mr. Savarino was able to overturn the denial following a 5 hour hearing in Arlington, VA.

Another Clearance Victory

3/22/2010 -- Bill Savarino saved another SCI clearance with the CIA. The applicant was initially denied SCI access due to numerous issues involving piracy of copyrighted materials, shoplifting, and the improper use of prescription drugs. Mr. Savarino successfully overturned the intial denial through the preparation of a thorough brief, strong preparation of the applicant for the personal appearance and attending the personal appearance with the applicant.

Another DOHA Clearance Victory

1/28/2010 -- Bill Savarino successfully defended another clearance at the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA). This case involved issues under Guideline B arising from relatives in Iraq, Jordon, and Syria. One of the relatives was a former member of the Iraqi Parliament. The hearing took place in Arlington, VA.

Another Clearance Victory

11/12/2009 -- Bill Savarino overturned another denial of a security clearance before the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA). This case involved allegations of recent past drug use (within the past year) under Guideline H. The case required a 3 hour hearing in Denver, Colorado.

Another DOHA Clearance Victory

9/21/2009 -- Bill Savarino saved another clearance for an applicant at the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA). The case involved allegations under Guidelines B (Foreign Influence - Korea); Guideline K (Security Violations); and Guideline E (Personal - deception). The case was difficult as the Government raised numerous issues; namely, that the applicant lived in Korea with a Korean wife; the applicant had several clear security violations in 2004 and 2005; and the applicant gave inconsistent information to the investigator concerning the security violations. The case required a 5-hour hearing before DOHA in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Another Clearance Victory

9/2/2009 -- Bill Savarino secured another clearance for an applicant at the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA) in Arlington, Virginia. DoD contested the applicant's eligibility under Guideline B. The applicant and his wife had numerous family members in Pakistan, provided financial support to one of his Pakistan relatives and had traveled to Pakistan often. The successful 3 hour hearing took place in Arlington, VA.

Another DOHA Clearance Victory

8/31/2009 -- Bill Savarino saved another clearance for an applicant at the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA). The case involved allegations under Guideline F (Financial) and was based on the applicant's inability to pay a mortgage on a second home. The case required a 3 hour hearing at DOHA in Arlington, Va.

Another SCI Clearance Victory

8/22/2009 -- Bill Savarino secured another SCI clearance for an applicant at the National Security Agency (NSA). The denial was based on the fact that the applicant had been charged with felony sexual conduct involving his young stepdaughter and failed to report this charge on his SF-86. Mr. Savarino worked with the applicant to prepare a detailed brief and numerous exhibits in mitigation, which carried the day. NSA's Deputy Chief of Security reversed NSA's initial decision to deny the applicant SCI access.

Another Clearance Victory

5/29/2009 -- Bill Savarino secured another clearance for an applicant at the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA) in Arlington, Virginia. The applicant is an translator from Kurdistan, Iraq with several families members residing in Iraq. DoD contested the applicant's eligibility under Guideline B. After a 3 hour hearing in Arlington, the Judge granted the clearance on an expedited basis to permit the Applicant to resume his duties in support of the U.S. Army in Iraq.

Another Clearance Victory

4/30/2009 -- Bill Savarino secured another clearance for an applicant at the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA) in Arlington, Virginia. The applicant had 6 relatives living in Nigeria and DoD contested the applicant's eligibility under Guideline B.

Another Security Clearance Victory

3/25/2009 -- Bill Savarino successfully assisted an applicant to gain his clearance through a reapplication following an adverse ruling by the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA). The applicant was denied a clearance and contested the denial in a hearing at DOHA where he represented himself. The DOHA hearing judge found that it was not in the national interest to grant him a clearance. Mr. Savarino subsequently persuaded the Director of DOHA to permit the applicant to reapply for a clearance after which DOHA granted him a clearance.

Another Security Clearance Victory

3/9/2009 -- Bill Savarino saved another security clearance before the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA) in Arlington, VA. The case involved numerous allegations of past due debts under Guideline F; several allegations of questionable conduct and deception under Guideline E; and an allegation of a pattern of criminal conduct under Guideline J. The case required a 5-hour hearing.

Another DOHA Security Clearance Victory

12/30/2008 -- Bill Savarino successfully mitigated Guideline B concerns for a scientist with close family ties to Lebanon at the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA) in Arlington, VA.

Another DOHA Security Clearance Victory

9/30/2008 -- Bill Savarino successfully convinced the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals to grant a clearance despite admissions of dishonesty under Guideline E. The applicant, a former military officer, lied about having extramarital sex with an enlisted man to her superior officer, to a state court judge in her divorce proceedings, and then to a Defense Security Service Special Agent in connection with her periodic reinvestigation. Mr. Savarino presented sufficient evidence to mitigate DOHA''s concerns during a 4 hour hearing in Arlington, VA.

Another DOHA Security Clearance Victory

9/29/2008 -- Bill Savarino successfully gained a clearance for another Iraqi translator, who had lost his clearance under Guideline B for having immediate family in Iraq, Syria, Germany, Jordan and Canada. After a 4 hour hearing in San Diego, CA, Mr. Savarino convinced DOHA that the applicant, who served as a translator in Iraq for a military contractor, mitigated DOHA''s concerns of possible foreign influence. Mr. Savarino has successfully represented numerous Iraqi translators against Guideline B allegations.

Another Security Clearance Victory

9/3/2008 -- Bill Savarino saved another clearance. This time he successfully convinced a Department of Energy (DOE) Appeal Panel to reverse an adverse hearing decision by a Department of Energy (DOE) Hearing Official to revoke a DOE employee''s Q clearance. The employee had a used marijuana while he possessed a Q clearance. His clearance was revoked after a hearing at DOE in Washington, D.C. Mr. Savarino appealed the adverse decision to the DOE, which formed an Appeal Panel to hear the appeal. Mr. successfully convinced the Appeal Panel that the Hearing Official''s decision was unsupported and that restoring the employee''s clearance would be clearly consistent with the national interest.

Another Security Clearance Victory

6/26/2008 -- Bill Savarino and his team won another key clearance decision. This time they successfully overturned an initial adverse decision by the NSA to deny an applicant access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) based on long-term excessive alcohol use. The final level of appeal comprised a written brief attacking the findings of an NSA psychologist and an oral argument before a seven member panel at NSA in Ft. Meade, Maryland.

Another Security Clearance Victory

4/17/2008 -- Bill Savarino won another case at Department of Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA). The case involved defeating 15 separate allegations under Guideline E relating to job terminations and deceit.

Another Security Clearance Victory

3/27/2008 -- Bill Savarino succeeded in helping another individual keep his clearance with the Department of Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA). The case required a lengthy hearing in Arlington, Virginia and involved allegations of misconduct relating to pornography under Guideline E.

Another CIA Cearance Victory

3/7/2008 -- Bill Savarino successfully assisted an individual to regain his TS/SCI clearance with the CIA. The matter involved allegations of questionable conduct and security violations. Bill Savarino, assisted by his client, was able to overturn a security decision denying the clearance at the first level of review.

Another Clearance Victory

1/28/2008 -- Bill Savarino saved another clearance at the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals. The case involved past due debts under Guideline F. The case was tried in Arlington, VA.

Another DOHA victory

7/31/2007 -- Bill Savarino won another Guideline B case at the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA). The case involved an applicant from Russia who had immediate family still in Russia, traveled often back to Russia, and sent money to her family in Russia several times a year. The 4-hour hearing was held in Arlington, Va.

Another DOHA Security Clearance Victory

7/19/2007 -- Bill Savarino saved another clearance at the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA). The applicant faced revocation under Guideline E for allegedly falsifying a time card. During a 2 hour hearing in Arlington, VA, DOHA found in favor of the applicant.

Another DOE Security Clearance Victory

7/19/2007 -- Bill Savarino won another clearance case at the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Hearings and Appeals. The applicant's Q clearance was suspended u9nder 10 C.F.R. after experiencing two major psychotic episodes that required hospitalization. After a 6 hour hearing in Washington, D.C., at which two psychiatric experts testified, the applicant's Q clearance was restored.

Another Security Clearance Victory

7/8/2007 -- Bill Savarino won another clearance case at the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA). This case involved numerous serious past security violations that triggered a denial under Guideline K. Among a host of excellent reference witnesses, Bill Savarino relied upon the expert testimony of Bob Schwalls from Dallas, Texas. The 7 hour hearing was held in San Francisco.

Security Clearance Victory

6/21/2007 -- Bill Savarino scored another security clearance victory at the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA). The case involved an individual who had an extramarital affair and who misrepresented information to a Special Agent investigating the matter. The hearing, which took place in Arlington, VA, involved Guideline E and Guideline D issues.

Another Successful Clearance Effort

6/11/2007 -- Bill Savarino successfully assisted another Federal Government employee in retaining a clearance from the Consolidated Adjudications Facility (CAF) in the face of multiple allegations stemming from his dual U.S. - Mexican nationality and other alleged preferences for Mexico.

Another Security Clearance Victory

6/11/2007 -- Bill Savarino won another Guideline B victory at the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA) following a lengthy hearing in San Diego. The case involved an individual who's wife had numerous family members in Taiwan.

Another SCI Clearance Victory

6/4/2007 -- Bill Savarino successfully overturned a decision by the U.S. Air Force to deny a former Chinese national Special Compartmented Information (SCI) access based on his assoications with Chinese nationals.

Another Successful Clearance Effort

6/4/2007 -- Bill Savarino successfully assisted a Navy officer in obtaining a positive recommendation from the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA) in connection with his attempt to retain his TS/SCI clearance in the face of multiple allegations from DON CAF involving (i) improper sexual behavior; (ii) criminal conduct; (iii) improper personal conduct; and (iv) secuirty violations.

Another DOHA clearance victory

6/4/2007 -- Bill Savarino won another victory at the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA). The case involved several Guideline E allegations concerning alleged terminations for cause from an employer, deceptions on a job application and an SF-86 Application. The 4 hour hearing was held in Arlington, Virginia.

Another Clearance Victory

5/20/2007 -- Bill Savarino was able to persuade the Defense Department of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA) to withdraw its Guideline B concerns in a Statement of Reasons (SOR) involving an applicant with family in Bangladesh.

Another Clearance Victory

5/3/2007 -- Bill Savarino won another clearance decision at the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA). The case involved Guideline C and Guideline B issues. The applicant had family in Egypt and the UAE, made numerous trips to Egypt and sent money to family in Egypt. The case involved a 5 hour hearing in New York City.

Another Security Clearance Victory

4/19/2007 -- Bill Savarino posted another Guideline B victory, this time representing a Government employee with with a mother, father, and several siblings still living in China

Bill Savarino saves another clearance

1/9/2007 -- The case involved a senor FAA official in Los Angeles who received an intent to revoke his long standing clearance for issues relating to alcohol and personal conduct. Mr. Savarino assisted the employee in marshalling mitigating evidence and then presented the evidence at a 3-hour personal conference with the FAA in Los Angeles.

Another Guideline B victory at DOHA

12/22/2006 -- Bill Savarino was able to convince DOHA to withdraw a Statement of Reasons involving allegations concerning relatives in Ethiopia.

Q Clearance Victory

10/3/2006 -- Bill Savarino successfully restored a Department of Energy (DOE) "Q" clearance for an applicant with alcohol problems following a 5 hour hearing held in Las Vegas, NV.

Another Guideline B Victory at DOHA

9/29/2006 -- Bill Savarino won another hearing at the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA). This was a Guideline B case involving Lebanon, Sierra Leone, and the United Arab Emirates. The victory came following a four-hour hearing at DOHA in Arlington, Virginia.

New Security Clearance Victory

9/12/2006 -- Bill Savarino and his security clearance team won another victory. They successfully overturned a decision by the CIA denying an applicant a TS/SCI clearance. The issue concerned improper drug use and deceit.

ANOTHER GUIDELINE B VICTORY AT DOHA

8/8/2006 -- Bill Savarino and his team were successful again at DOHA in another Guideline B case. This one involved an applicant from the Republic of Korea who had made recent travels to visit family there.

Another Security Clearance Success

7/20/2006 -- Bill Savarino and his team were successful in convincing DOHA to withdraw the SOR of an applicant from Vietnam, who had family back in Vietnam and had made numerous trips back to Vietnam. Because the SOR was withdrawn, the applicant was able to obtain a clearance without the need for a hearing.

DOHA Guideline B Victory

6/23/2006 -- Bill Savarino and his Security Clearance team won another victory at DOHA. In this case, the applicant was from Libya and had a number of brothers and sisters still residing in Libya.

DOHA Guideline F Victory

5/15/2006 -- DOHA Victory - Bill Savarino won another case at the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA). This was a Guideline F (financial considerations) case involving an applicant with who had significant past due debt.

DOHA Guideline H Victory

5/1/2006 -- DOHA Victory - Bill Savarino and his security clearance team were successful in persuading the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA) to withdraw a Statement of Reasons (SOR) concerning Guideline H (drug involvement) issues. DOHA was persuaded to grant the clearance without going to a hearing.

DOHA Guideline B Victory

1/31/2006 -- DOHA Victory - Bill Savarino won another case at the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA). This was a Guideline B case involving an applicant with a Thai wife and several in-laws who were citizens and residents of Thailand. The case was tried in Tucson, Arizona.

DOHA Guideline B Victory

1/25/2006 -- Bill Savarino and his security clearance team were successful in persuading the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA) to withdraw a Statement of Reasons (SOR) alleging Guideline B issues based on applicant's brother who was a citizen and resident of Hong Kong.

DOHA Victory

10/25/2005 -- Bill Savarino and his security clearance team has succeeded in convincing the Department of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA) to withdraw a Statement of Reasons (SOR) under Guideline B for a client whose father lives in the Ukraine.

Security Clearance Success

9/20/2005 -- Bill Savarino and his security clearance team wins DOHA Appeal Board decision. In ISCR Case No. 03-24356, dated September 19, 2005, the DOHA Appeal Board affirmed a hearing decision granting Mr. Savarino's client a clearance. The Appeal Board addressed and rejected arguments made by the Government that the DOHA hearing judge erroneously concluded that Mr. Savarino's client had committed a forgery and falsified his answer to Question 20 on his SF-86 form.

New DOHA Victory

9/15/2005 -- Bill Savarino and his security clearance team add another win at the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA)! This case involved Guideline B issues based on the applicant's family members in Ghana, and Guideline E issues based on allegations that the applicant lied on his SF-86 Form.

Another Security Clearance Victory at DOHA

9/1/2005 -- Bill Savarino and the Security Clearance team won another victory at the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals. The hearing, which took place in San Diego, CA, focused on complicated Guideline B issues involving Australia.

Security Clearance Team Wins Four

5/27/2005 -- Bill Savarino and his security clearance team have won four more cases at DOHA (Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals):

1. The first case involved allegations of deception (Guideline E), where the applicant was accused of lying on his SF-86 form. Five witnesses were called during the 7 hour hearing at DOHA.

2. The second case involved two allegations; one pertaining to foreign preference (Guideline B), where the applicant had family in India, and the other pertaining to outside activities (Guideline L), where the applicant had arrangements with a family business in India. This case also involved a complicated hearing at DOHA.

3. The third case also involved two allegations; one pertaining to foreign preference (Guideline B), where the applicant had family in India, and the other pertaining to outside activities (Guideline L), where the applicant's company owned other businesses in India and Germany and members of the applicant's family served as directors for these other companies. Bill Savarino and his team convinced DOHA to withdraw the Statement of Reasons and grant the clearance without a hearing.

4. The fourth case involved allegations of criminal conduct (Guideline J), where the applicant had pled guilty to possession of drugs. Because the applicant was sentenced to time in excess of one year, DOHA also alleged that the applicant was disqualified from receiving a clearance based on the Smith Amendment, 10 U.S.C. 986. Bill Savarino and his team convinced DOHA to withdraw the Statement of Reasons and grant the clearance without a hearing.

Security Clearance Team Reverses DHS SCI Ruling

3/21/2005 -- Cohen Mohr's Security Clearance team of Bill Savarino and Roni Laxa successfully reversed a decision by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to deny an applicant Special Compartmented Information (SCI) access. The applicant possessed a top-secret clearance, but had been denied on two occasions SCI access, which was essential for his official duties.