CASE · Clearance Adjudication Search EngineCASE

Loading case…

ISCR Case 22-00335 — CASE

Case record

ISCR Case 22-00335

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

Case Profile
Decision Date8/28/2023
Statusgranted
LevelHEARING
TypeSTANDARD ISCR
Participants
Applicant Representation: Pro Se
Judge: Darlene Lokey Anderson
Government Counsel: Aubrey De Angeles
Case Summary
The applicant in this case was a 33-year-old Systems Administrator with a Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity and prior military service in the U.S. Air Force. The Department of Defense issued a Statement of Reasons (SOR) citing security concerns under Guideline F (Financial Considerations) and Guideline B (Foreign Influence), although the latter was withdrawn by the government during the proceedings. The core allegations involved the applicant's significant financial issues, including delinquent debts exceeding $240,000, which raised questions about his reliability and judgment.
The applicant admitted to the financial allegations, explaining that his financial troubles began during his military deployments, exacerbated by the financial mismanagement of his ex-wives. He reported that he was unaware of the extent of his debts until he began receiving creditor notices. In response, he sought legal assistance and filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy to address his debts, which were included in the bankruptcy petition filed shortly before the hearing. The applicant also demonstrated a commitment to improving his financial management and provided evidence of his current stable living situation and income.
The administrative judge ruled in favor of the applicant, concluding that he had taken significant steps to address his financial issues and had shown a commitment to responsible financial behavior moving forward. The judge noted the applicant's stable employment, supportive relationship, and positive character references, which contributed to a favorable assessment of his trustworthiness and reliability in handling classified information.
Guidelines Evaluated
- Guideline BForeign Influence · Withdrawn
- Guideline FFinancial Considerations · For Applicant
Similar decisions
Other decisions whose allegations read most like this one. Descriptive similarity of the allegations only — not a prediction.
Finding similar decisions…

Case Headnote

ISCR Case No. 22-00335

grantedAug 28, 2023· Hon. Darlene Lokey Anderson· hearing

Summary

A 33-year-old former Air Force Staff Sergeant with a Master's Degree in Cybersecurity was granted a security clearance despite initial concerns under Guideline F (Financial Considerations). The applicant faced over $240,000 in debts across multiple accounts, including several charged-off accounts ranging from $5,589 to $32,848, and one account placed for collection. These financial issues were primarily attributed to the mismanagement of his ex-wives during his military deployments.

The applicant admitted to the allegations and initiated a Chapter 7 bankruptcy process to resolve the debts. The decision noted that his financial irresponsibility was largely due to circumstances beyond his control.

Ultimately, the judge found that the applicant had taken responsible steps to address his debts, including filing for bankruptcy, and demonstrated current financial stability and responsible behavior. Consequently, his eligibility for a security clearance was granted.

Why the Applicant Prevailed

The applicant's financial issues were primarily due to the mismanagement of his ex-wives during his military deployments.
He has taken responsible steps to address his debts, including filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
The applicant demonstrated current financial stability and responsible behavior.

Conditions Referenced

Disqualifying

AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability to Satisfy Debts
AG ¶ 19(c)raisedHistory of Not Meeting Financial Obligations

Mitigating

AG ¶ 20(a)appliedBehavior Occurred Under Circumstances Unlikely to Recur
AG ¶ 20(b)appliedConditions Largely Beyond the Person's Control
AG ¶ 20(d)appliedGood Faith Effort to Repay or Resolve Debts

Key Rule Quoted

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

Procedural Posture

SOR issuedMay 4, 2022
Answer filedAug 24, 2022
Hearing heldJun 7, 2023Applicant was unavailable for several months due to personal circumstances.
Decision dateAug 28, 2023

Cite For

Mitigation of Financial Issues Due to Ex-spouse Mismanagement
Good Faith Efforts in Resolving Significant Debt
Consideration of Personal Circumstances in Financial Irresponsibility Cases

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 multiple delinquent debts totaling over $240,000, primarily from credit cards and personal loans, which were included in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition filed in June 2023. Despite the debts remaining owing, the judge concluded that the applicant had mitigated the financial concerns, resulting in a decision for the applicant.

¶	Allegation	Finding	Type	Response	Disqualifying (¶19)	Mitigating applied (¶20)	Mitigation
1.a	Applicant is indebted to a creditor in the amount of $32,848 for an account that was charged off. $32,848	For Applicant	Credit Card Debt	Admitted	—	(b) conditions largely beyond the person’s control; acted responsibly	Documented Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
1.b	Applicant is indebted to a creditor in the amount of $30,579 for an account that was charged off. $30,579	For Applicant	Credit Card Debt	Admitted	—	(b) conditions largely beyond the person’s control; acted responsibly	Documented Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
1.c	Applicant is indebted to a creditor in the amount of $30,193 for an account that was charged off. $30,193	For Applicant	Credit Card Debt	Admitted	—	(b) conditions largely beyond the person’s control; acted responsibly	Documented Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
1.d	Applicant is indebted to a creditor in the amount of $29,551 for an account that was charged off. $29,551	For Applicant	Credit Card Debt	Admitted	—	(b) conditions largely beyond the person’s control; acted responsibly	Documented Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
1.e	Applicant is indebted to a creditor in the amount of $27,485 for an account that was charged off. $27,485	For Applicant	Credit Card Debt	Admitted	—	(b) conditions largely beyond the person’s control; acted responsibly	Documented Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
1.f	Applicant is indebted to a creditor in the amount of $25,646 for an account that was charged off. $25,646	For Applicant	Credit Card Debt	Admitted	—	(b) conditions largely beyond the person’s control; acted responsibly	Documented Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
1.g	Applicant is indebted to a creditor in the amount of $18,874 for an account that was charged off. $18,874	For Applicant	Personal Loan Debt	Admitted	—	(b) conditions largely beyond the person’s control; acted responsibly	Documented Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
1.h	Applicant is indebted to a creditor in the amount of $15,269 for an account that was placed for collection. $15,269	For Applicant	Personal Loan Debt	Admitted	—	(b) conditions largely beyond the person’s control; acted responsibly	Documented Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
1.i	Applicant is indebted to a creditor in the amount of $10,364 for an account that was charged off. $10,364	For Applicant	Credit Card Debt	Admitted	—	(b) conditions largely beyond the person’s control; acted responsibly	Documented Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
1.j	Applicant is indebted to a creditor in the amount of $5,589 for an account that was charged off. $5,589	For Applicant	Credit Card Debt	Admitted	—	(b) conditions largely beyond the person’s control; acted responsibly	Documented Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
1.k	Applicant is indebted to a creditor in the amount of $15,269 for an account that was charged off. $15,269	For Applicant	Credit Card Debt	Admitted	—	(b) conditions largely beyond the person’s control; acted responsibly	Documented Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

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.