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ISCR Case 20-03359 — CASE

Case record

ISCR Case 20-03359

A decided public DOHA case, shown for research — not advice or a prediction.

Case Profile
Decision Date2/1/2023
Statusgranted
LevelHEARING
TypeSTANDARD ISCR
Participants
Applicant Representation: Pro Se
Judge: Robert E. Coacher
Government Counsel: Tara R. Karoian
Case Summary
The applicant in this case was a 42-year-old employee of a federal contractor who had held a security clearance since 2005. The Department of Defense Consolidated Adjudications Facility issued a Statement of Reasons (SOR) citing security concerns under Guideline F, related to financial considerations. The SOR detailed four delinquent debts totaling $31,152, including a vehicle repossession and two consumer debts, as well as an educational debt from a former employer.
The applicant admitted to some of the allegations while providing explanations for others. She attributed her financial difficulties to supporting family members in need, which she stated had led to her financial overextension. The applicant successfully resolved three of the debts, demonstrating that the vehicle repossession debt was charged off and that she had negotiated the cancellation of the consumer debts. She also explained the circumstances surrounding the educational debt, which had been satisfied following a default judgment. The applicant presented evidence of her current financial stability, including a budget showing surplus income and savings.
The administrative judge ruled in favor of the applicant, concluding that she had mitigated the financial concerns. The judge found that the applicant's financial difficulties were largely beyond her control and that she had taken responsible steps to resolve her debts. The judge emphasized the applicant's credible explanations and her current financial management, ultimately granting her eligibility for access to classified information.
Guidelines Evaluated
- Guideline FFinancial Considerations · For Applicant
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Case Headnote

ISCR Case No. 20-03359

grantedFeb 1, 2023· Hon. Robert E. Coacher· hearing

Summary

A 42-year-old federal contractor employee was granted a security clearance despite initial concerns under Guideline F (Financial Considerations). The Statement of Reasons cited four delinquent debts totaling $31,152: a $13,514 vehicle repossession deficiency, two consumer debts of $110 and $528, and a $17,000 educational debt to a former employer. These issues raised Disqualifying Conditions AG ¶ 19(b) and AG ¶ 19(c).

However, the administrative judge applied Mitigating Conditions AG ¶ 20(b), AG ¶ 20(d), and AG ¶ 20(e). The applicant provided credible explanations for her financial difficulties, attributing them to family obligations. Crucially, she resolved all delinquent debts prior to the hearing, demonstrating a commitment to responsible financial behavior.

Her current financial status further indicated a low likelihood of future financial issues. Based on these factors, the administrative judge concluded that granting her eligibility for access to classified information was consistent with the national interest, and the clearance was GRANTED.

Why the Applicant Prevailed

The applicant provided credible explanations for her financial difficulties, including family obligations.
She resolved all delinquent debts prior to the hearing, demonstrating responsible financial behavior.
Her current financial status indicates a low likelihood of future financial issues.

Conditions Referenced

Disqualifying

AG ¶ 19(b)raisedUnwillingness to Satisfy Debts Regardless of the Ability to Do So
AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations

Mitigating

AG ¶ 20(b)appliedConditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person's Control
AG ¶ 20(d)appliedThe Individual Initiated and Is Adhering to a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors or Otherwise Resolve Debts
AG ¶ 20(e)appliedThe Individual Has a Reasonable Basis to Dispute the Legitimacy of the Past-due Debt

Key Rule Quoted

“The protection of the national security is the paramount consideration.”

Procedural Posture

SOR issuedJul 6, 2021
Answer filedDec 31, 2021
Hearing heldNov 7, 2022
Decision dateFeb 1, 2023

Cite For

Mitigation of Financial Considerations Under Guideline F
Impact of Family Obligations on Financial Stability
Resolution of Debts as a Factor in Security Clearance Eligibility

Editorial summary generated for research. Not legal advice; not a prediction. Verify against the full decision before relying on any quoted language.

Standardized Decision Profile

SEAD-4 Guideline F · descriptive summary of a decided case

Posture: HearingDecided: granted

The judge found that the applicant had several financial concerns, including a vehicle repossession deficiency, two consumer debts, and an educational debt. However, all debts were resolved, leading to a decision in favor of the applicant regarding financial considerations under Guideline F.

¶	Allegation	Finding	Type	Response	Disqualifying (¶19)	Mitigating applied (¶20)	Mitigation
1.a	Vehicle repossession deficiency-$13,514 $13,514	For Applicant	Auto Loan Debt	Admitted	—	—	—
1.b	Consumer debt-$110 $110	For Applicant	Unspecified Financial	Admitted	—	—	—
1.c	Consumer debt-$528 $528	For Applicant	Unspecified Financial	Admitted	—	—	—
1.d	Educational debt to former employer-$17,000 $17,000	For Applicant	Student Loan Debt	Admitted	—	—	—

Descriptive standardized rendering of a decided public case (Guideline F). The verbatim source decision is shown in full below.

Full decision

The complete, official text — footnotes and signatures included — is in the original PDF.