I am defending a former Marine’s security clearance.
The only issue is this:
Mr. Morris is 26 years of age. For a
six month period between 2006 and 2007, he and an accomplice received money
from the
He explains the situation as follows:
11. Before officially checking-in with
the command in 2007, under the assumption that I would receive basic housing
allowance, I eagerly signed a leasing agreement and began furnishing my new
apartment. Up to this point I had always lived in the barracks. I wanted
to settle in as quickly as possible so I could begin my job at NSA without
interruption. As I checked in I learned that due to housing authority politics,
the Navy was no longer authorizing off-post requests. I sought relief from the
Command but they were unable to provide any support, thus leaving me with the
option of canceling my lease—and thereby accepting the financial penalty,
and then storing all my furniture—or continue the lease and pay the cost
from a rather unsubstantial paycheck.
12. Another Marine who had recently
checked in—a married reservist who was unaffected by the aforementioned
issues—and overheard my discussions with the Command offered up another
option. As he was currently searching for suitable off post housing, he offered
to sublet the apartment from me until the issue was resolved. The figure we
decided upon was around $1300-1400/month; $1100 for base cost of the apartment,
and $200-300 for utilities (as I would continue paying gas, electric, water,
and the cable bill) and the use of my furniture. We believed this to be a
comparable rate to what the apartment complex offered for a furnished
apartment.
13. My mistake, and one which was
contrary to my values and conduct, was ignoring the additional $500 he tacked
on to the leasing agreement between us for his profit. Thus, he planned to
submit an invoice for a total of $1900 to the Marine Corps. As I was stressed
from the predicament and the fact that I was about to attend one of the
NSA’s most demanding courses, I was admittedly only concerned with
resolving my own immediate issues and needs. This would continue for about 5-6
months until my off-post request was authorized. Unable to appreciate the
consequences of my actions then in a vacuum, I now realize I was presented with
an integrity-check moment and I failed.
Then one of his supports, a MSgt, sent me this:
I am not sold yet on the argument but it has me thinking. Did he
actually do anything wrong? I think it probably still does not pass the smell
test, but was it really fraud or criminal conduct? He probably was not allowed
to sublet but that is a separate issue.
Thoughts would be welcome!
Mark
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Mark S. Zaid, Esq.
Mark S. Zaid, P.C.
(202) 454-2809 direct
(202) 330-5610 fax
www.MarkZaid.com