CASE · Clearance Adjudication Search EngineCASE

Loading case…

ISCR Case 20-01813 — CASE

Case record

ISCR Case 20-01813

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

Case Profile
Decision Date3/29/2024
Statusgranted
LevelHEARING
TypeSTANDARD ISCR
Participants
Applicant Representation: Pro Se
Judge: Caroline E. Heintzelman
Government Counsel: Allison Marie
Case Summary
The applicant in this case was a 45-year-old program manager for a federal contractor, who had held a security clearance since 2002 and served in the U.S. Air Force and Army National Guard. The Department of Defense issued a Statement of Reasons (SOR) citing concerns under Guideline F (financial considerations) and Guideline E (personal conduct), alleging six delinquent debts totaling $54,345 and a failure to disclose these debts on his security clearance application. The applicant denied most allegations but acknowledged one debt.
The administrative judge found that the applicant had taken significant steps to address his financial issues, including hiring a credit repair company and resolving several debts prior to the SOR issuance. He provided evidence of his current financial stability, including a steady income, savings, and no new delinquent debts. The applicant explained that he did not disclose the debts on his application because he believed they were resolved and did not intend to be deceptive. The judge noted the applicant's military service, positive recommendations, and efforts to improve his financial situation.
Ultimately, the administrative judge ruled in favor of the applicant, granting him national security eligibility for access to classified information. The decision emphasized the applicant's proactive measures to mitigate the financial concerns and his overall reliability and trustworthiness, aligning with the adjudicative guidelines.
Guidelines Evaluated
- Guideline EPersonal Conduct · For Applicant
- 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. 20-01813

grantedMar 29, 2024· Hon. Caroline E. Heintzelman· hearing

Summary

This case involved a 45-year-old federal contractor and military veteran whose security clearance eligibility was initially questioned under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline F (Financial Considerations). Concerns arose from six undisclosed delinquent debts totaling $54,345, which were not reported on his security clearance application. This omission led to an allegation of falsification under Guideline E, while the debts themselves triggered concerns under Guideline F.

However, the applicant took significant steps to address these issues. Prior to the Statement of Reasons (SOR) being issued, he resolved several of the delinquent debts and demonstrated a good-faith effort to repay his overdue creditors. He also established a pattern of responsible financial behavior, indicating a commitment to maintaining financial stability.

The judge ultimately found that the applicant had successfully resolved his financial issues and did not intend to deceive by omitting the debts from his application. His military service and positive recommendations further supported his reliability and trustworthiness. Consequently, the applicant was GRANTED security clearance eligibility.

Why the Applicant Prevailed

The applicant resolved several delinquent debts prior to the SOR issuance.
He demonstrated a good-faith effort to repay overdue creditors and maintain financial stability.
The applicant's military service and positive recommendations supported his reliability and trustworthiness.

Conditions Referenced

Disqualifying

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

Mitigating

AG ¶ 20(a)appliedBehavior Happened Long Ago or Infrequently
AG ¶ 20(b)appliedConditions Beyond the Person's Control
AG ¶ 20(d)appliedGood-faith Effort to Repay Debts

Key Rule Quoted

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

Procedural Posture

SOR issuedOct 29, 2020
Answer filedDec 2, 2020
Hearing heldJun 1, 2022via video teleconference
Decision dateMar 29, 2024

Cite For

Mitigation of Financial Issues Under Guideline F
Resolution of Debts Prior to SOR Issuance
Good-faith Efforts in Financial Rehabilitation

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 E (Personal Conduct) · descriptive summary of a decided case

Posture: HearingDecided: granted

The judge found that the applicant did not deliberately falsify his Security Clearance Application (SCA) regarding undisclosed debts. The applicant's explanation for the omission was accepted, leading to a favorable outcome for the applicant under Guideline E.

¶	Allegation	Finding	Conduct	Concealed Issue	Response	Disqualifying (¶16)	Mitigating applied (¶17)	Mitigation
1.a–1.c	3 sub-charges — specific text not stated in this decision (rulings shown).	Mixed		—		—	—	—
1.d	Applicant falsified his SCA by deliberately failing to disclose the debts alleged under Guideline F.	For Applicant	Falsification Security FormNOT DELIBERATE	Financial	Denied	—	—	Claimed Explanation of Omission Credible

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

Standardized Decision Profile

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

Posture: HearingDecided: granted

The judge found that the applicant had six delinquent debts totaling $54,345 but ruled in favor of the applicant, indicating that the financial concerns were mitigated. The applicant demonstrated efforts to resolve the debts and had no new delinquent debts at the time of the hearing.

¶	Allegation	Finding	Type	Response	Disqualifying (¶19)	Mitigating applied (¶20)	Mitigation
2.a	Applicant has six delinquent debts totaling $54,345. $54,345	For Applicant	Auto Loan Debt	Denied	—	—	Documented Debt Paid in Full
2.b–2.g	6 sub-charges — specific text not stated in this decision (for the applicant).	Mixed			—	—	—

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.