Case Information
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Note: This order is nonprecedential
United States Court of Appeals for the Jfederal Circuit
JOHN BERRY, DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF
PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT,
Petitioner,
v.
RHONDA K. CONYERS,
Respondent,
AND
DEVON HAUGHTON NORTHOVER,
Respondent,
AND
MERIT SYSTEMS PROTECTION BOARD,
Respondent.
Miscellaneous Docket No. 984
Petition for Review of the Merit Systems Protection Board in consolidated case nos. CH0752090925-R-1 and AT0752100184-R-1.
ON MOTION
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Before Bryson, Linn, and Prost, Circuit Judges. Prost, Circuit Judge.
O R D E R
The Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) petitions for review of an order of the Merit Systems Protection Board pursuant to 5 U.S.C. § 7703(d). Rhonda K. Conyers, Devon Haughton Northover, and the Board respond and move to dismiss the petition. OPM replies.
Conyers and Northover were indefinitely suspended and demoted, respectively, from their positions with the Department of Defense after they were found ineligible to occupy noncritical sensitive national security positions because of national security concerns. Conyers and Northover separately appealed the agency's actions. In both appeals, the agency argued that, because the respondents' positions were designated noncritical sensitive by the agency, under the Supreme Court's decision in Dep't of the Navy v. Egan,
In Egan, the Supreme Court held that the Board does not have the authority to review the substance of an underlying decision to deny or revoke a security clearance in the course of reviewing an adverse action. The administrative law judge in Conyers' case found that Egan did not apply, but granted the agency's motion to certify the issue for interlocutory appeal. The administrative law judge in Northover's case found that Egan did apply, and also certified the issue for interlocutory appeal.
On December 22, 2010, the Board affirmed the administrative law judge's decision in Conyers and reversed the decision in Northover, concluding that Egan "limits the
*3 Board's review of an otherwise appealable adverse action only if that action is based upon a denial, revocation, or suspension of . . . access to classified information or eligibility for such access." Because Conyers' and Northover's appeals did not specifically involve the denial of a security clearance, the Board concluded it had authority to review the merits of the agency's decisions. The Board then remanded both cases and directed the administrative law judges to adjudicate the cases under the general applicable standard the Board applies in adverse action appeals. OPM moved for reconsideration of the Board's decisions, which the Board denied. This petition for review followed.
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. § 7703(d), OPM may seek review of a final Board order or decision when it determines that the Board erred in interpreting a civil service law, rule or regulation, and that that Board's decision will have a substantial impact on the administration of the civil service. Generally, this court does not have jurisdiction to review remand orders because such orders are not final. See Weed v. Social Sec. Admin.,
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from the merits of whether the actions against the employees were proper. Regarding the third criterion, whether the issue could be effectively reviewable on appeal from a final decision, OPM argues that delay in review of the issue would "imperil a substantial public interest" or a "particular value of a high order" and thus collateral review is proper. See e.g. Will v. Hallock,
Upon consideration thereof,
It Is Ordered That:
(1) OPM's petition for review is granted. The revised official caption is reflected above. (2) The motions to dismiss are denied.
For The Court
AUG 172011
Date cc: Rhonda K. Conyers Andres M. Grajales, Esq. Abby C. Wright, Esq. Jeffrey A. Gauger, Esq. s20
Is/ Jan Horbaly Jan Horbaly Clerk EILED U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT AUG 172611 JAN HORBALY CLERK