Yes and no, they may have been informed in a non-public setting on _why_ DEFCON has refused to pay.
DEFCON themselves is likely to not state a reason publicly, so getting a "here's what I was told by DEFCON" is likely the closest thing that we're going to get for an answer.
I read it as tinged with the implication that the wronged party must have done something to deserve it. In retrospect, perhaps I was being too sensitive.
I'm confused by the rationale of questioning the OP about someone else's motivations.