National Security Practice

Our national security practice, led by Bill Savarino, covers the broad scope of national security concerns affecting companies and individuals. It spans all agencies and levels of clearances and accesses.

We differentiate ourselves from the competition by the depth of our experience and the reasonableness of our fees as compared to larger firms that often charge considerably more to accomplish the same goals. We can structure fee payment arrangements to accommodate your needs.

Businesses that interact with the federal government or with federal programs today increasingly face the need to obtain a facility clearance. The need can arise quickly and carry a short time frame, especially in time sensitive procurements. Facility clearances are based in principal part on the clearance eligibility of a company’s key management personnel, which can create problems if the eligibility of these individuals is an issue. Foreign ownership, control or influence is a primary concern for the Defense Security Service (DSS) and needs to be addressed early and adequately to avoid delays.

For individuals, the clearance application process forces applicants to make disclosure decisions, often under tight time constraints about things they may not remember fully or want to bring to light, that carry significant and often unforeseen consequences. The application (commonly referred to as the SF-86 or e-QIP) contains nearly 120 pages of probing questions seeking seemingly endless details about a person’s life, health, career, finances, travel, family, and friends. Investigators scour applications, comparing it with historical records looking for inconsistencies, red flags and incongruities, which can lead to a protracted adjudication process or denial. Helping people succeed in this unique and daunting process requires a deftness that only decades of experience can deliver.

These are the things we do every day and what we can do for you:

Help Companies Obtain and Keep Facility Clearances

– Understanding the Requirements

A company needs to find an appropriate sponsor. It needs to assess the existence of any foreign ownership, control, or influence. It needs to complete and timely submit various federal forms. It needs to prepare for the initial visit from the Defense Security Service. It needs to embrace the requirements of the National Industrial Security Industrial Program (NISPOM).

We work with noted former DSS Industrial Security official, Bob Schwalls, who has over 50 years of experience in industrial security to provide clients with valuable administrative support and insight.

– FOCI Mitigation

A U.S. company subject to foreign ownership, control, or influence (FOCI) cannot obtain or keep the requisite facility security clearance necessary to compete for and participate in classified U.S. Government contracts unless the company has effectively mitigated or eliminated the FOCI.

FOCI issues typically arise in connection with the contemplated investment by non-U.S. citizens in a U.S. Government-cleared contractor.

We have established Proxy Boards, Special Security Agreements and Security Control Agreements. We not only know which mitigation method best suits a given circumstance; we know how to implement it down to the smallest details. We have a long list of proven outside directors available to assist in the mitigation.
One of the Proxy Board companies we established and implemented won the coveted Cogswell Award, which goes to those few companies selected by the Defense Security Service (DSS) as exhibiting industrial security excellence.

– CFIUS Notifications

Navigating the voluntary CFIUS review process is best done with good counsel. We can help you understand the process and how it fits within your acquisition plans. We can help you develop the appropriate CFIUS disclosure to facilitate, not impeded your transaction.

Help Companies Assess the Suitability and Clearance Eligibility of Prospective Employees

We are adept at evaluating the potential suitability and clearance eligibility of prospective employees, which can help your business make better hire decisions.

Help Companies Purchase and Sell Cleared Facilities or Assets

We advise on acquisition time frames, strategies for dealing with notice to applicable agencies, appropriate representations and certifications for use in acquisition agreements, and conducting due diligence on classified contracts.

Help Companies Handle Issues Concerning Sensitive but Unclassified Information

Help Individuals with Pre-Clearance Counseling to Increase the Opportunity for an Interim Clearance and Avoid Misimpressions

Many of the problems that trigger denials of personnel clearances stem from mistakes made in preparing clearance applications and in speaking with investigators. We counsel individuals in preparing clearance applications, including the Standard Form (SF) 86. We also counsel individuals on handling pre-clearance interviews with investigators.

Help Individuals with Clearance Denials or Revocations

For employees of agencies or government contractors, security clearances and suitability determinations can make or break careers.  Agencies enjoy considerable discretion deciding who’s “in” and who’s “out” relying on guidelines and interpretations that often defy logic.

Those determined to be unsuitable for employment or ineligible for a clearance are presented with an array of appeal options that differ between the agencies. To do well in these appeals requires an intimate knowledge of the adjudication process as well as the adjudicators. Having experienced counsel from the outset is the only way to avoid missteps and optimize the opportunity for success.

People with the most to lose rely on Bill Savarino to handle their suitability and clearance eligibility issues. He is nationally recognized as the one to call when getting or keeping a clearance is paramount. Over the past two decades he has saved the clearances and careers of some of the most prominent figures in business, science, politics, and government, often in the most difficult of circumstances. He has successfully handled numerous appeals before all pertinent agencies, including for example the DoD, DOS, DOE, DHS, DIA, FBI, CIA, NSA, and NGO, He has successfully handled appeals involving suitability determinations, public trusts, secret clearances, top secret clearances, sensitive compartmented information and other special accesses.

Other lawyers have entrusted Bill to represent their most valued clients. Agency lawyers who have opposed him in clearance appeals have asked Bill to handle the clearance appeals of their own friends and family. Bill has lectured widely on security clearance matters. He has provided commentary on national security clearance issues for ABC News, and addressed security clearance eligibility issues for listeners on Federal News Radio.

Help Individuals Correct their Government/Military Records

Inaccurate government records can negatively impact a person’s life and career, and quash any ability to obtain a positive suitability or clearance eligibility. Options exist to correct inaccurate records and challenge disputed findings of government investigators. We know which strategies are best in your particular situation and have the experience and drive to implement those strategies.

For additional information, please complete our contact form

Victories

December 19, 2016 – Bill Savarino saved another clearance at the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals.  This time it involved a senior IT professional who was a naturalized citizen from India.  She faced allegations under Guideline C Foreign Preference and Guideline B Foreign Influence.  A favorable decision was delivered shortly following a 3 hour hearing at DOHA in Arlington, VA.

July 26, 2016 – Bill Savarino saved another clearance this time an SCI level clearance with NSA.  The matter involved allegations pertaining to pornography under Guideline D (Sexual Behavior); illegal hacking of computer systems under Guideline M (Use of Information Technology Systems); and fraudulent conduct under Guideline J (Criminal Conduct).

July 11, 2016 – Bill Savarino saved another clearance at the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA), this time for a senior executive from India.  It involved mitigating Foreign Influence issues under Guideline B concerning siblings in India and assets in India.

June 1, 2016 – Bill Savarino saved another clearance at the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA), this time without the need for a hearing by convincing DOHA to withdraw the Statement of Reasons.   The applicant was from Pakistan, who had siblings and parent’s-in-law in Pakistan.

Feb. 24, 2016 – Bill Savarino saved another clearance at the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA), this time for an employee of a defense contractor with a Colombian spouse and family residing in Colombia.  It involved mitigating Foreign Influence issues under Guideline B and Foreign Preference issues under Guideline C due to possession and use of a Colombian passport.

Feb. 19, 2016 – Bill Savarino saved another clearance at the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA) for an employee of a contractor working at the U.S. State Department.  The case involved Guideline E – Personal Conduct and was based on allegations that he lied on his SF-86 about his reason for having left his employer.  The individual believed he was laid off due to a downsizing at the State Department.  However, his former supervisor at the State Department, a vindictive man with an axe to grind, asserted to OPM investigators that the State Department had fired him for cause.  A 5 hour hearing took place in San Francisco during which Bill Savarino cross-examined the former State Department supervisor, forcing him to admit that his statements to OPM investigators about firing the individual for cause were not true.

Aug. 19, 2015 – Bill Savarino saved another clearance and with it the long, distinguished career of a key employee of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).   DHS suspended and fought hard to revoke the employee’s access to classified national security information and eligibility to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) based on allegations under Guideline E – Personal Conduct, Guideline K – Handling of Protected Information, and Guideline M – Use of Information Technology Systems.

Jan. 12, 2015 – Bill Savarino saved another clearance, this time for an employee of a defense contractor in Seattle, Washington. This one involved Foreign Influence under Guideline B due to relatives living in South Korea and risky behavior during a trip to China. It also involved Personal Conduct under Guideline E for failing to report possible contemplated travel to North Korea during that same trip to China.

Nov. 26, 2014 – Bill Savarino succeeded in saving a clearance for an individual who had smoked marijuana while holding a Top Secret clearance. No hearing was held as the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA) withdrew the Statement of Reasons.

Oct. 22, 2014 – Bill Savarino helped save another clearance, this one for an Army officer. The issues involved Personal Conduct under Guideline B; Financial Considerations under Guideline; and Criminal Conduct under Guideline J stemming from a US Army Criminal Investigation Command report alleging that the officer committed wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in connection with the G-RAP program. Bill handled the four-hour personal appearance before the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA) in Arlington, VA, that then issued a recommendation to the Personnel Security Appeals Board (PSAB), which granted the appeal and reinstated the officer’s clearances.

Aug. 11 2014 – Bill Savarino helped save another clearance, this one involving Foreign Influence and Outside Activity issues raised by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Bill assisted in the preparation of a rebuttal letter following receipt of a statement of reasons from the FAA, which satisfied the agency’s concerns.

Nov. 6, 2013 – Bill Savarino saved another clearance before the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA). This one involved allegations under Guideline B (Foreign Influence) stemming from the applicant’s family ties to the African country of Tanzania. Both his parents lived there and his father was a former diplomat of the Tanzanian Government. In addition, his mother was the secretary to the former president of Tanzania. A three-hour hearing was required in Arlington, VA.

Oct. 18, 2013 – Bill Savarino helped a world-famous senior aerospace engineer successfully overcome an unfavorable adjudication at DOHA under Guideline C (Foreign Preference) by strategically orchestrating his clearance reapplication 12 months later.

Aug. 9, 2013 – Bill Savarino won another Personnel Security Hearing at the DOE. This involved allegations under Criterion F (10 C.F.R. 710.8(f)) that the applicant deliberately misrepresented his drug use to both another government agency as well as DOE. A 3 hour hearing was required at DOE HQ in Washington, DC.

June 21, 2013 – Bill Savarino won another case before the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA). This one involved allegations under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline D (Sexual Conduct). The applicant was accused of purposefully seeking out and downloading child pornography over a period of years and lying on his SF-86 about that and a teenaged arrest. A four-hour hearing was required in Arlington, VA.

March 15, 2013 – Bill Savarino helped save another DoD clearance at the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA). This successful appeal involved six separate allegations under Guideline G (Alcohol Consumption). The case required a 3 hour hearing in Arlington, Virginia.

Feb. 24, 2013 – Bill Savarino helped save another DoD clearance at the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA).   This successful appeal involved multiple issues under Guideline C, Foreign Preference.   The applicant, a well-known and accomplished CEO of a major publically traded IT company, was a dual British – U.S. citizen.  He exercised British citizenship by renewing and using his British passport on multiple occasions and indicated to investigators an unwillingness to relinquish it.

Dec. 31, 2012 – Bill Savarino helped save another DoD clearance at the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA).  This successful appeal, handled without a hearing, involved allegations under Guideline D (Sexual Behavior) of nearly a decade of actively seeking out and viewing pornography of under-aged girls; and allegations under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) of allegations of deception with investigators, and multiple occasions of misusing information technology system by downloading pornographic images on a company computer.

Feb. 8, 2012 – Bill Savarino saved another SCI clearance, this time with the NSA.  This case involved a 7-page statement of reasons and a 10-page report from a NSA Psychiatrist, which specified multiple issues under Guideline H (Drug Issues); Guideline G (Alcohol Issues); Guideline I (Psychological Conditions); and Guideline E (Personal Conduct).

Feb. 3, 2012 – Bill Savarino saved another DoD clearance at the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA).  This successful appeal involved allegations of Foreign Influence under Guideline B.  The applicant was born in Pakistan and married to a Pakistani national.  The case required a 3 hour hearing in Arlington, VA.

Jan. 30, 2012 – Bill Savarino saved another DoD clearance at the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA).  This successful appeal involved multiple allegations under Guideline E (Personal Conduct), including declassification of documents; failing to follow established security protocols; unauthorized access to e-mail; and denial of SCI access by another U.S. Government Agency.  The case required a 4 hour hearing in Arlington, VA.

Jan. 19, 2012 – Bill Savarino saved another SCI clearance with a significant U.S. intelligence agency.  The allegation involved alleged deception of drug use during a polygraph.

Dec. 15, 2011 – Bill Savarino saved another SCI clearance at an important intelligence agency.  This successful appeal involved multiple allegations under Guideline B (Foreign Influence) involving family and contacts in Pakistan and with the Pakistani government.

July 28, 2011 – At the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA), Bill Savarino saved another DoD clearance. This successful appeal involved multiple allegations under Guideline G (Alcohol Consumption), Guideline J (Criminal Conduct), and Guideline E (Personal Conduct). The applicant reported numerous arrests for DUI as well as several additional arrests for marijuana possession, theft, and reckless driving. In addition, shortly before the hearing, DoD amended the SOR to include an allegation of deception under Guideline E involving the applicant’s failure to identify certain arrests in his SF-86. The case required a 5 hour hearing in Arlington, VA.

Jul. 28, 2011 – Bill Savarino saved another DoD clearance at the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA). This successful appeal involved several allegations under Guideline B (Foreign Influence) since the applicant had family in Columbia and Chile, and under Guideline F (Financial) because the applicant’s house went to foreclosure. The case required a 3 hour hearing in Arlington, VA.

May 9 , 2011 – Bill Savarino saved another DoD clearance at the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA). This successful appeal involved several allegations under Guideline B (Foreign Influence) since the applicant had family in Columbia and Chile, and under Guideline F (Financial) because the applicant’s house went to foreclosure. The case required a 3 hour hearing in Arlington, VA.

April 20, 2011 – Bill Savarino saved another DoD clearance at the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA). This successful appeal involved multiple allegations under Guideline B (Foreign Influence). The applicant had considerable ties to India, including over a million dollars in assets in India as well as immediate family and in-laws. The case required a 4 hour hearing in Arlington, VA.

Sept. 1, 2010 – Bill Savarino saved another SCI clearance at the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). This successful appeal involved multiple allegations under Guidelines: D (Sexual Behavior); E (Personal Conduct); G (Alcohol); H (Drugs); and I (Psychological Impairment).

July 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).

June 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.

May 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.

March 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.

Jan. 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.

Nov. 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.

Sept. 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.

Sept. 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.

Aug. 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.

Aug. 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.

May 20, 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.

Apr. 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.

March 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.

March 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.

Dec. 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.

Sept. 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.

Sept. 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.

Sept. 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.

June 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 Compartment 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.

May 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.

May 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.

April 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.

Jan. 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.

July 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.

July 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 under 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.

July 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.

July 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.

June 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.

June 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.

June 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.

June 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) security violations.

June 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 associations with Chinese nationals.

May 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.

May 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.

April 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.

Jan. 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 marshaling mitigating evidence and then presented the evidence at a 3-hour personal conference with the FAA in Los Angeles.

Dec. 22, 2006 – Another Guideline B Victory – Bill Savarino was able to convince DOHA to withdraw a Statement of Reasons involving allegations concerning relatives in Ethiopia.

Oct. 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.

Sept. 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.

Sept. 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.

Aug. 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.

July 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.

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

May 15, 2006 – 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.

May 1, 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) concerning Guideline H (drug involvement) issues. DOHA was persuaded to grant the clearance without going to a hearing.

Jan. 31, 2006 – 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.

Jan. 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.

Oct. 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.

Sept. 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.

Sept. 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.

Sept. 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.

Aug. 19, 2005 – Bill Savarino and his security clearance team have won another case at DOHA (Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals): The case, which was heard in Honolulu, HI, involved Guideline B issues stemming from relatives living in Hong Kong.

May 27, 2005 – Bill Savarino and his security clearance team have won four more cases at DOHA (Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals):   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.   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.  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.  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.

May 21, 2005  – Bill Savarino and Cohen Mohr’s Security Clearance team 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.