Summary
A 45-year-old defense contractor employee was granted a security clearance despite concerns under Guideline F (Financial Considerations). The Statement of Reasons alleged approximately $8,000 in delinquent debt, primarily from medical expenses and charged-off collection accounts. Specific allegations included a $54 medical account with unknown status, a $474 medical account with a settlement plan, a $233 collection account that was paid off, a $503 collection account with a repayment plan, a $756 collection account with unknown status, a $1,936 medical account marked as a duplicate, a $1,608 credit account with a repayment plan, and a $198 cell phone account that was paid off. Additionally, a bankruptcy filed in 1989 was discharged in 1994.
Disqualifying conditions under Guideline F were raised, but the judge applied several mitigating conditions. The applicant demonstrated a stable financial situation and made good faith efforts to resolve her debts. She provided evidence of a repayment plan and financial counseling, indicating responsible behavior given the circumstances.
The judge found that the applicant's financial difficulties were largely attributable to medical emergencies and her ex-husband's financial irresponsibility. These efforts and circumstances led to the determination that granting the security clearance was consistent with national interest.
Why the applicant prevailed
- The applicant demonstrated a stable financial situation and made good faith efforts to resolve her debts.
- She provided evidence of a repayment plan and financial counseling, showing responsible behavior under the circumstances.
- The applicant's financial difficulties were largely due to medical emergencies and her ex-husband's financial irresponsibility.
Conditions referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 20(a)appliedThe Behavior Happened so Long Ago, Was so Infrequent, or Occurred Under Such Circumstances That It Is Unlikely to Recur and Does Not Cast Doubt on the Individual’s Current Reliability, Trustworthiness, or Good Judgment
- AG ¶ 20(b)appliedThe Conditions That Resulted in the Behavior Were Largely Beyond the Person's Control
- AG ¶ 20(c)appliedThe Person Has Received or Is Receiving Counseling for the Problem And/or There Are Clear Indications That the Problem Is Being Resolved or Under Control
- AG ¶ 20(d)appliedThe Individual Initiated a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors or Otherwise Resolve Debts
Key rule quoted
“The adjudicative process is an examination of a sufficient period of a person’s life to make an affirmative determination that the person is eligible for a security clearance.”
Procedural posture
- SOR issuedMay 2, 2007
- Answer filedAug 10, 2007Applicant elected to have her case decided at a hearing.
- Hearing heldNov 16, 2007Government introduced eleven exhibits into evidence.
- Decision dateDec 13, 2007
Cite for
- Mitigation of Financial Issues Under Guideline F
- Consideration of Personal Circumstances Affecting Financial Stability
- Whole Person Concept in Security Clearance Determinations