CASE · Clearance Adjudication Search EngineCASE

Loading case…

ISCR Case 25-00259 — CASE

DOHA Record Explorer

ISCR Case 25-00259

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

Case Profile
Decision Date1/15/2026
Statusgranted
LevelHEARING
TypeSTANDARD ISCR
Participants
Applicant Representation: Pro Se
Judge: Darlene Lokey Anderson
Government Counsel: John B. Renehan
Case Summary
The applicant in this case was a 54-year-old employee seeking a security clearance for his position as a Shipping and Receiving Inspector with a defense contractor. The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency issued a Statement of Reasons (SOR) citing security concerns under Guideline F, Financial Considerations, due to the applicant's eight delinquent consumer debt accounts totaling approximately $29,438. The allegations indicated a lack of self-control and poor judgment regarding financial decisions.
The applicant admitted to the allegations in the SOR and attributed his financial difficulties primarily to a severe ankle injury sustained at work, which required reconstructive surgery and resulted in a year-long absence from work. He also experienced subsequent injuries to his knee and back, further complicating his financial situation. Despite these challenges, the applicant demonstrated efforts to address his debts by hiring a consumer debt attorney and establishing payment plans with creditors. By the time of the hearing, he had made significant progress in settling several debts and reported stable employment with a salary of approximately $67,000.
The administrative judge ruled in favor of the applicant, concluding that the financial issues were largely beyond his control and that he had made a good faith effort to resolve his debts. The judge noted the applicant's current financial stability and responsible behavior, which mitigated the concerns raised under Guideline F. The decision emphasized the importance of considering the applicant's overall circumstances and efforts to rectify his financial situation.
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.
Finding similar decisions…

Case Headnote

ISCR Case No. 25-00259

grantedJan 15, 2026· Hon. Darlene Lokey Anderson· hearing

Summary

A 54-year-old defense contractor was granted a security clearance despite initial concerns under Guideline F (Financial Considerations). The applicant admitted to delinquent debts totaling approximately $29,438, which arose primarily from multiple work-related injuries that led to significant income loss.

The Statement of Reasons detailed eight specific debts. These included credit card debts for purchases such as lawn tools, groceries, gas, and household supplies, as well as a personal loan. For several credit card debts, the applicant's attorney negotiated reduced settlement amounts, with some debts being paid off in lump sums and others under active monthly payment plans. One debt, initially charged off, was confirmed by the creditor as no longer being pursued, as the applicant had already paid it.

The decision to grant the clearance was based on several mitigating factors. The applicant's financial difficulties were directly linked to his work-related injuries. Furthermore, he demonstrated proactive and significant efforts to resolve his debts, including engaging a consumer debt attorney and establishing payment plans, showing a clear commitment to fulfilling his financial obligations.

Why the Applicant Prevailed

The applicant's financial difficulties were primarily due to work-related injuries that caused significant income loss.
The applicant took proactive steps to address his debts, including hiring a consumer debt attorney and establishing payment plans.
The applicant has shown a commitment to resolving his debts and has made substantial progress in doing so.

Conditions Referenced

Disqualifying

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

Mitigating

AG ¶ 20(b)appliedConditions Largely Beyond the Person's Control
AG ¶ 20(d)appliedGood Faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors
AG ¶ 20(e)appliedReasonable Basis to Dispute Legitimacy of Past-due Debt

Key Rule Quoted

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

Procedural Posture

SOR issuedApr 2, 2025
Answer filedApr 11, 2025
Hearing heldNov 19, 2025
Decision dateJan 15, 2026

Cite For

Mitigation of Financial Difficulties Due to Medical Issues Under Guideline F
Good Faith Efforts to Resolve Delinquent Debts
Consideration of the Whole-person Concept in Security Clearance Decisions

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 had multiple delinquent consumer debts but ruled in favor of the applicant on all allegations under Guideline F. The applicant demonstrated good judgment and responsibility in addressing his financial issues, leading to the resolution of his debts through settlements and payment plans.

¶	Allegation	Finding	Type	Response	Disqualifying (¶19)	Mitigating applied (¶20)	Mitigation
1.a	Applicant is indebted to a creditor for an account that was placed for collection in the approximate amount of $8,359. This was Applicant’s credit card that he used to purchase lawn and gardening tools. A judgement was entered against him by the creditor. Applicant’s attorney assisted in getting the amount reduced to $5,435. Applicant is currently making monthly payments of $150 to resolve the debt. $8,435	For Applicant	Credit Card Debt	Admitted	—	—	Documented Debt Paid in Full
1.b	Applicant is indebted to a creditor for an account that was placed for collection in the approximate amount of $4,222. This was Applicant’s credit card that he used to purchase groceries. Applicant’s attorney assisted in getting the amount reduced to $2,536. Applicant is currently making monthly payments of $211.33 to resolve the debt. $4,222	For Applicant	Credit Card Debt	Admitted	—	—	Documented Debt Paid in Full
1.c	Applicant is indebted to a creditor for an account that was placed for collection in the approximate amount of $4,190. This was Applicant’s credit card he used to purchase gas or anything else he needed. The amount of the debt was reduced to $2,556.18. Applicant paid the debt off in one lump sum. $4,190	For Applicant	Credit Card Debt	Admitted	—	—	Documented Debt Paid in Full
1.d	Applicant is indebted to a creditor for an account that was placed for collection in the approximate amount of $3,894. Applicant settled this account with the creditor for $1,926, which he paid off in a lump sum on August 25, 2025. $3,894	For Applicant	Unspecified Financial	Admitted	—	—	Documented Debt Paid in Full
1.e	Applicant is indebted to a creditor for an account that was placed for collection in the approximate amount of $3,672. This was Applicant’s credit card he used to purchase household supplies. Applicant settled this account with the creditor for $2,385. He is currently making monthly payments of $75 to resolve the debt. $3,672	For Applicant	Credit Card Debt	Admitted	—	—	Documented Debt Paid in Full
1.f	Applicant is indebted to a creditor for an account that was placed for collection in the approximate amount of $3,170. This was Applicant’s credit card. Applicant settled the account with the creditor for $1,268. Applicant paid the debt off in one lump sum a week before the hearing. $3,170	For Applicant	Credit Card Debt	Admitted	—	—	Documented Debt Paid in Full
1.g	Applicant is indebted to a creditor for an account that was placed for collection in the approximate amount of $969. This was Applicant’s credit card. Applicant settled the account with the creditor for $582. Applicant paid the debt off in one lump sum. $969	For Applicant	Credit Card Debt	Admitted	—	—	Documented Debt Paid in Full
1.h	Applicant is indebted to a creditor for an account that was charged off in the approximate amount of $962. This was a personal loan that Applicant took out for about $10,000 when he purchased his house, in order to pay the taxes. Applicant contacted the creditor because he had already paid off the debt. The creditor looked into the matter, and told him that they were no longer seeking payment. $962	For Applicant	Personal Loan Debt	Admitted	—	—	Documented Debt Paid in Full

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.