Summary
The applicant, a 34-year-old single mother of three, faced financial concerns under Guideline F due to approximately $28,000 in delinquent debts primarily incurred during an abusive relationship. The administrative judge granted her security clearance, emphasizing her efforts to resolve debts, current financial stability, and the mitigating circumstances surrounding her financial issues.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: a $9,459 collection debt owed as a result of an automobile repossessed in 2019 (1.a). a $8,595 collection debt as a result of an automobile repossessed in 2017 (1.b). a $1,105 charged-off account owed to a credit union (1.c). a $1,029 delinquent credit card account that was placed for collection (1.d). a $760 credit card account that was placed for collection (1.e). a $140 charged-off account (1.f). a $1,471 charged-off account (1.g). a $5,698 account that was placed for collection (1.h).
The judge granted the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 18, AG ¶ 19(a), AG ¶ 19(c). The judge applied mitigating conditions AG ¶ 20(a), AG ¶ 20(b), AG ¶ 20(d). The decision turned on the following: The applicant demonstrated a good-faith effort to resolve her debts, including a garnished debt that was paid off; Most debts were incurred due to circumstances beyond her control, specifically an abusive relationship; The applicant is current on her federal and state income taxes and has a stable income.
Why the Applicant Prevailed
- The applicant demonstrated a good-faith effort to resolve her debts, including a garnished debt that was paid off.
- Most debts were incurred due to circumstances beyond her control, specifically an abusive relationship.
- The applicant is current on her federal and state income taxes and has a stable income.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 18raisedFailure to Live Within One's Means
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedHistory of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- 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 Overdue Creditors
Key Rule Quoted
“Each security clearance decision must be a fair, impartial, and commonsense determination based on examination of all available relevant and material information, and consideration of the pertinent criteria and adjudication policy in the adjudicative guidelines (AG).”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedMay 17, 2022
- Answer filedMay 23, 2022
- Hearing heldSep 7, 2023
- Decision dateDec 22, 2023
Cite For
- Mitigation of Financial Concerns Under Guideline F Due to Abusive Relationships
- Consideration of Personal Circumstances in Financial Distress Cases
- Importance of Good-faith Efforts in Resolving Debts for Security Clearance Eligibility