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ISCR Case 24-02273 — CASE

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ISCR Case 24-02273

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

Case Profile
Decision Date2/26/2026
Statusdenied
LevelHEARING
TypeSTANDARD ISCR
Participants
Applicant Representation: Pro Se
Judge: Mark W. Harvey
Government Counsel: Aubrey M. De Angelis
Case Summary
The applicant in this case was a 39-year-old flight-equipment technician with a background in the Marine Corps and a current salary of $48 per hour. The Department of Defense issued a Statement of Reasons (SOR) citing security concerns under Guideline F, specifically related to financial considerations. The SOR detailed nine debts totaling approximately $56,880, which the applicant admitted were due to unemployment and personal circumstances, including his spouse's severe health issues.
During the hearing, the applicant acknowledged the debts and provided some mitigating information, including efforts to resolve certain debts through a credit repair company. He admitted to being unemployed for a period and attributed his financial difficulties to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, he did not present a comprehensive plan to address all debts, and some debts remained unresolved. The administrative judge ultimately ruled against the applicant, concluding that the financial concerns were not sufficiently mitigated. The judge emphasized the importance of financial responsibility in determining eligibility for access to classified information, stating that the applicant had not demonstrated that granting a security clearance would be consistent with national security interests.
Guidelines Evaluated
- Guideline FFinancial Considerations · For Applicant
- Guideline FFinancial Considerations · Against Applicant
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Case Headnote

ISCR Case No. 24-02273

deniedFeb 26, 2026· Hon. Mark W. Harvey· hearing

Summary

A 39-year-old flight-equipment technician and Marine Corps veteran was denied a security clearance under Guideline F (Financial Considerations) due to unresolved financial issues totaling over $56,000. The Statement of Reasons detailed several specific debts. These included a bank debt of approximately $11,229 for a truck that was reported stolen after being left with a mechanic, with the last payment made in September 2018.

Other significant debts included a credit card debt of about $7,654, which the applicant claimed to have paid after a settlement offer was made in February 2025. Another bank debt of approximately $5,682 had a last payment around July 2019, with the applicant unable to recall why payments ceased, though he discussed resolution with the creditor. A credit card debt of about $3,535 was also claimed by the applicant to be paid, with his credit report reflecting this. Additionally, a bank debt of about $5,495 remained, with the applicant not recalling contact with the creditor or describing payment plans.

The denial was based on the applicant's unresolved debts totaling $45,691, indicating a history of not meeting financial obligations. Despite some payments and circumstances beyond his control, the applicant failed to provide sufficient evidence of a clear plan to resolve remaining debts or establish payment plans, leading to the conclusion that he did not meet security standards.

Why the Applicant Prevailed

The applicant successfully settled two debts totaling $11,189, demonstrating some financial responsibility.

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 experienced unemployment and medical issues affecting his finances.
AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedGood-faith Effort to Repay Overdue CreditorsThe applicant did not establish a reasonable plan for repayment of all debts.

Key Rule Quoted

“Eligibility for a security clearance is predicated upon the applicant meeting the criteria contained in the adjudicative guidelines.”

Procedural Posture

SOR issuedJan 30, 2025
Answer filedFeb 20, 2025
Hearing heldDec 12, 2025via Microsoft Teams
Decision dateFeb 26, 2026

Cite For

Denial of Security Clearance Due to Unresolved Financial Issues Under Guideline F
Importance of Demonstrating a Clear Plan for Debt Resolution
Consideration of Circumstances Beyond an Applicant's Control in Financial 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: denied

The judge found multiple financial concerns under Guideline F, including several debts that were charged-off and a history of financial irresponsibility. Ultimately, the judge ruled against the applicant on most allegations, citing a lack of confidence in the applicant's ability to resolve his debts.

¶	Allegation	Finding	Type	Response	Disqualifying (¶19)	Mitigating applied (¶20)	Mitigation
1.a	Applicant has a bank debt for about $11,229. Applicant borrowed funds to purchase a truck. The truck needed repairs, and he left the truck with a mechanic for four months before he tried to obtain it. The mechanic said the truck was stolen. Applicant filed a police report about the theft; however, no one was prosecuted. His last payment was in September of 2018. $11,229	Against Applicant	Auto Loan Debt	Admitted	(a) inability to satisfy debts (c) a history of not meeting financial obligations	—	—
1.d	Applicant has a credit card debt for about $7,654. On February 12, 2025, the creditor offered to settle the debt for $1,530 with monthly payments of $255 from February 2025 to July of 2025. Applicant said he paid this debt. $7,654	For Applicant	Credit Card Debt	Admitted	—	—	—
1.e	Applicant has a bank debt for about $5,682. Applicant’s most recent payment was around July of 2019. He did not remember why he stopped making payments. He has discussed resolution of the debt with the creditor. $5,682	Against Applicant	Unspecified Financial	Admitted	(a) inability to satisfy debts (c) a history of not meeting financial obligations	—	—
1.g	Applicant has a credit card debt for about $3,535. On February 12, 2025, the creditor offered to settle the debt for $707. Applicant said he paid this debt, and his CBR reflects that this debt is paid. $3,535	For Applicant	Credit Card Debt	Admitted	—	—	—
1.h	Applicant has a bank debt for about $5,495. Applicant did not remember contacting the creditors in SOR 1.f and 1.h. He did not describe any payment plans or payments to address these two debts. $5,495	Against Applicant	Unspecified Financial	Admitted	(a) inability to satisfy debts (c) a history of not meeting financial obligations	—	—

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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