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ISCR Case 22-00343 — CASE

Case record

ISCR Case 22-00343

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

Case Profile
Decision Date7/26/2023
Statusgranted
LevelHEARING
TypeSTANDARD ISCR
Participants
Applicant Representation: Pro Se
Judge: Marc E. Curry
Government Counsel: Tovah A. Minster
Case Summary
The applicant in this case was a 29-year-old married man and U.S. Navy veteran who sought a security clearance after being issued a Statement of Reasons (SOR) citing financial considerations under Guideline F. The SOR detailed eight delinquent debts totaling approximately $26,000, which the applicant attributed to poor financial management during his youth.
During the proceedings, the applicant admitted to the allegations in the SOR and provided explanations for his financial difficulties. He acknowledged that his past overspending was reckless and expressed a commitment to resolving his debts. By the time of the hearing, he had made significant progress, having satisfied three debts entirely and arranged payment plans for two others. He indicated that he intended to address the remaining debts sequentially as his financial situation improved.
The administrative judge ruled in favor of the applicant, concluding that he had mitigated the financial concerns raised in the SOR. The judge noted the applicant's recognition of his past mistakes, his proactive steps to manage his debts, and the clear indications that his financial issues were under control. Consequently, the judge granted the applicant eligibility for a security clearance, determining that it was consistent with national security interests.
Guidelines Evaluated
- 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.
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Case Headnote

ISCR Case No. 22-00343

grantedJul 26, 2023· Hon. Marc E. Curry· hearing

Summary

A 29-year-old veteran and defense contractor was granted a security clearance despite initial concerns under Guideline F (Financial Considerations). The Statement of Reasons alleged eight delinquent debts totaling approximately $26,000, citing irresponsible spending attributed to youth and immaturity. Disqualifying conditions under Adjudicative Guidelines (AG) ¶ 19(a) and AG ¶ 19(c) were raised due to these financial issues.

However, the applicant demonstrated significant mitigating efforts. They established payment plans for outstanding debts, made consistent payments since October 2022, and satisfied some debts entirely, including one in May 2022. The applicant also negotiated a payment plan for other specific debts and achieved a zero balance on a line of credit.

The judge applied mitigating conditions under AG ¶ 20(c) and AG ¶ 20(d), concluding that the applicant's commitment to resolving financial issues and demonstrated progress in managing debts had mitigated the security concerns. Consequently, the security clearance was granted.

Why the Applicant Prevailed

The applicant established payment plans for delinquent debts and satisfied some debts entirely.
The applicant demonstrated a commitment to resolving financial issues and showed progress in managing debts.

Conditions Referenced

Disqualifying

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

Mitigating

AG ¶ 20(c)appliedProblem Is Being Resolved or Is Under Control
AG ¶ 20(d)appliedGood-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors

Key Rule Quoted

“"Failure to live within one’s means, satisfy debts, and meet financial obligations may indicate poor self-control, lack of judgment, or unwillingness to abide by rules and regulations, all of which can raise questions about an individual’s reliability, trustworthiness, and ability to protect classified or sensitive information."”
— AG ¶ 18

Procedural Posture

SOR issuedApr 1, 2022
Answer filedMay 4, 2022
Hearing heldMay 26, 2023via video teleconference
Decision dateJul 26, 2023

Cite For

Mitigation of Financial Issues Under Guideline F
Good-faith Efforts to Resolve Debts
Whole-person Concept in Evaluating Financial Responsibility

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 incurred eight delinquent debts totaling approximately $26,000 but has made significant efforts to address these financial issues. The applicant has satisfied some debts, arranged payment plans for others, and demonstrated a commitment to resolving his financial obligations, leading to a decision in favor of granting the security clearance.

¶	Allegation	Finding	Type	Response	Disqualifying (¶19)	Mitigating applied (¶20)	Mitigation
1.a	Applicant incurred eight delinquent debts totaling approximately $26,000. $26,000	For Applicant	Unspecified Financial	Admitted	(a) inability to satisfy debts (c) a history of not meeting financial obligations	(b) conditions largely beyond the person’s control; acted responsibly	Documented Debt Paid in Full Documented Payment Plan with Creditor
1.b	Applicant has made arrangements to pay delinquent debts.	For Applicant	Unspecified Financial	Admitted	(a) inability to satisfy debts (c) a history of not meeting financial obligations	(b) conditions largely beyond the person’s control; acted responsibly	Documented Payment Plan with Creditor
1.c	Applicant has satisfied some debts and is working on others.	For Applicant	Unspecified Financial	Admitted	(a) inability to satisfy debts (c) a history of not meeting financial obligations	(b) conditions largely beyond the person’s control; acted responsibly	Documented Debt Paid in Full
1.d	Applicant's financial issues were attributed to youth and immaturity.	For Applicant	Unspecified Financial	Admitted	(a) inability to satisfy debts (c) a history of not meeting financial obligations	(b) conditions largely beyond the person’s control; acted responsibly	—
1.e	Applicant has made consistent payments towards debts since October 2022.	For Applicant	Unspecified Financial	Admitted	(a) inability to satisfy debts (c) a history of not meeting financial obligations	(b) conditions largely beyond the person’s control; acted responsibly	Documented Payment Plan with Creditor
1.f	Applicant has satisfied the debt alleged in subparagraph 1.f in May 2022.	For Applicant	Unspecified Financial	Admitted	(a) inability to satisfy debts (c) a history of not meeting financial obligations	(b) conditions largely beyond the person’s control; acted responsibly	Documented Debt Paid in Full
1.g	Applicant has negotiated a payment plan for the debts alleged in subparagraphs 1.a and 1.b.	For Applicant	Unspecified Financial	Admitted	(a) inability to satisfy debts (c) a history of not meeting financial obligations	(b) conditions largely beyond the person’s control; acted responsibly	Documented Payment Plan with Creditor
1.h	Applicant has a zero balance on the line of credit alleged in subparagraph 1.h.	For Applicant	Unspecified Financial	Admitted	(a) inability to satisfy debts (c) a history of not meeting financial obligations	(b) conditions largely beyond the person’s control; acted responsibly	—

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

Full decision

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