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ISCR Case 24-01635 — CASE

Case record

ISCR Case 24-01635

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

Case Profile
Decision Date3/5/2025
Statusgranted
LevelHEARING
TypeSTANDARD ISCR
Participants
Applicant Representation: Pro Se
Judge: Philip J. Katauskas
Government Counsel: John C. Lynch
Case Summary
The applicant in this case was a 33-year-old individual who had recently transitioned from active duty in the U.S. Army to civilian employment with a defense contractor. The Department of Defense issued a Statement of Reasons (SOR) citing security concerns under Guideline F, related to financial considerations, due to ten delinquencies totaling $122,089. The applicant admitted to all debts listed in the SOR, attributing his financial difficulties to his separation and subsequent divorce from his wife, which resulted in significant legal fees and reliance on credit cards.
The administrative judge found that the applicant's financial issues were largely beyond his control, stemming from his divorce and the associated instability. The applicant demonstrated responsible behavior by enrolling in a debt resolution plan and making consistent payments, as well as resolving several debts through settlements. The judge noted that the applicant's vacations, taken after the divorce, did not indicate poor judgment, as some were for necessary medical treatments. Ultimately, the judge ruled in favor of the applicant, granting eligibility for a security clearance, stating that he had provided sufficient evidence to mitigate the security concerns raised under Guideline F.
Guidelines Evaluated
- Guideline FFinancial Considerations · For Applicant
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Case Headnote

ISCR Case No. 24-01635

grantedMar 5, 2025· Hon. Philip J. Katauskas· hearing

Summary

A 33-year-old veteran and defense contractor employee was granted a security clearance despite initial concerns under Guideline F (Financial Considerations). The Statement of Reasons alleged ten delinquencies totaling $122,089, primarily attributed to a divorce. These issues raised disqualifying conditions under Adjudicative Guideline (AG) ¶ 19(a) and AG ¶ 19(c).

However, the applicant successfully demonstrated mitigating conditions, specifically AG ¶ 20(b) and AG ¶ 20(d). He established a comprehensive debt resolution plan and made consistent payments toward his obligations.

The applicant also resolved several debts through settlements and payments in full. The judge ultimately found these actions to be responsible and consistent with national security interests, leading to the granting of his security clearance.

Why the Applicant Prevailed

The applicant established a debt resolution plan and made consistent payments.
He resolved several debts through settlements and payments in full.
The judge found the applicant's actions responsible and consistent with national security interests.

Conditions Referenced

Disqualifying

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

Mitigating

AG ¶ 20(b)appliedConditions Largely Beyond the Person's ControlThe applicant's financial difficulties arose from his divorce, which was largely beyond his control.
AG ¶ 20(d)appliedGood Faith Effort to Repay Overdue CreditorsThe applicant initiated and adhered to a debt resolution plan.

Key Rule Quoted

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

Procedural Posture

SOR issuedSep 27, 2024
Answer filedOct 23, 2024
Hearing held—Decision based on written record.
Decision dateMar 5, 2025

Cite For

Mitigation of Financial Concerns Under Guideline F
Good Faith Efforts in Debt Resolution
Impact of Personal Circumstances on Financial Stability

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: Decision on RecordDecided: granted

The judge found that the applicant had ten delinquencies totaling $122,089, which were primarily due to financial difficulties stemming from a divorce. Despite these concerns, the judge concluded that the applicant had made sufficient efforts to resolve his debts and credited his mitigating circumstances, ultimately ruling in favor of the applicant.

¶	Allegation	Finding	Type	Response	Disqualifying (¶19)	Mitigating applied (¶20)	Mitigation
1.a	Applicant has ten delinquencies totaling $122,089. $122,089	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	Claimed Other
1.b–1.j	9 sub-charges — specific text not stated in this decision (for the applicant).	For Applicant			—	—	—

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.