March 22, 2010
For 17 years, Troy Marshall claims he's had "excellent" and "highly recommended" reviews working at DFAS, the military payroll accounting facility in Cleveland.
It now appears he won't make 18 years.
He claims at least 62 workers have received letters, telling them they are losing their security clearance because of credit problems. And that means they will lose their jobs.
Marshall claims he now owes about $6,000 on credit card and medical bills for he and Sheba, his teenage sweetheart who became his wife.
Marshall has a defibrillator and diabetes. His wife has leukemia and needs costly treatments.
He also had problems because he co-signed for a son's car.
Sheba is about to lose her job at Kent State University. Their health care coverage will disappear sometime in April.
Marshall is union president. He was heavily involved in the crusade five years ago that saved and expanded jobs at DFAS.
Now he's hoping officeholders, publicity, and community support can help him and his colleagues at risk.
The local DFAS office public relations spokesperson referred us to the Pentagon.
A spokesman there said no one could discuss Marshall's case for privacy reasons and said it would take more time to explain what is happened and why.
DFAS workers in Columbus and Indianapolis have lost jobs because of credit issues.
Marshall had a long military career and is hurt DFAS bosses think he might betray his country to pay his debts. And he doesn't think his money problems should disqualify him from his job.
He makes $47,000 and helps to make sure workers and officers are properly equipped and staffed.
Ohio Congresswoman Marcia Fudge said she is "outraged" by what's happening to veteran DFAS workers suddenly faced with new standards.
She vowed to seek meetings, maybe with the Secretary of Defense, to address this.
Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich is trying to rally the Northeast Ohio delegation to tackle this problem together.
Marshall claims Social Security numbers and maiden names are the most classified information DFAS handles. He said no information involves national security.
"We are people. We are not just numbers. We are not just credit reports...Look at the whole person," Marshall said.
Noted Cleveland civil rights and workers' rights lawyer Avery Friedman believes workers fired would have a good case in court.
He said the government would have to explain how much debt turns a trustworthy worker into a risk.
For 17 years, Troy Marshall claims he's had "excellent" and "highly recommended" reviews working at DFAS, the military payroll accounting facility in Cleveland.
It now appears he won't make 18 years.
He claims at least 62 workers have received letters, telling them they are losing their security clearance because of credit problems. And that means they will lose their jobs.
Marshall claims he now owes about $6,000 on credit card and medical bills for he and Sheba, his teenage sweetheart who became his wife.
Marshall has a defibrillator and diabetes. His wife has leukemia and needs costly treatments.
He also had problems because he co-signed for a son's car.
Sheba is about to lose her job at Kent State University. Their health care coverage will disappear sometime in April.
Marshall is union president. He was heavily involved in the crusade five years ago that saved and expanded jobs at DFAS.
Now he's hoping officeholders, publicity, and community support can help him and his colleagues at risk.
The local DFAS office public relations spokesperson referred us to the Pentagon.
A spokesman there said no one could discuss Marshall's case for privacy reasons and said it would take more time to explain what is happened and why.
DFAS workers in Columbus and Indianapolis have lost jobs because of credit issues.
Marshall had a long military career and is hurt DFAS bosses think he might betray his country to pay his debts. And he doesn't think his money problems should disqualify him from his job.
He makes $47,000 and helps to make sure workers and officers are properly equipped and staffed.
Ohio Congresswoman Marcia Fudge said she is "outraged" by what's happening to veteran DFAS workers suddenly faced with new standards.
She vowed to seek meetings, maybe with the Secretary of Defense, to address this.
Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich is trying to rally the Northeast Ohio delegation to tackle this problem together.
Marshall claims Social Security numbers and maiden names are the most classified information DFAS handles. He said no information involves national security.
"We are people. We are not just numbers. We are not just credit reports...Look at the whole person," Marshall said.
Noted Cleveland civil rights and workers' rights lawyer Avery Friedman believes workers fired would have a good case in court.
He said the government would have to explain how much debt turns a trustworthy worker into a risk.
Closed November 2010
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