Summary
The applicant, a 41-year-old systems analyst and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, faced financial difficulties primarily due to circumstances beyond his control, including unemployment and a divorce. He took responsible actions to address his debts, including repayment plans and credit counseling, leading to a decision to grant his security clearance under Guideline F.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: $187 cellular account (1.a). $5,243 debt alleged for the balance due on repossessed vehicle (1.b). $8,058 debt for repossessed vehicle (1.c). $241 cellular account (1.d). $3,429 debt for repossessed vehicle (1.e). foreclosed mortgage-loan guaranteed through a Veterans Affairs (VA) loan (1.f). $5,758 debt for repossessed vehicles (1.g). $402 credit-card account (1.h).
The judge granted the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 19(a), AG ¶ 19(c). The judge applied mitigating conditions AG ¶ 20(b), AG ¶ 20(d), AG ¶ 20(c). The decision turned on the following: The applicant acted responsibly to address his financial difficulties, including entering repayment plans and completing credit counseling; The financial issues were largely due to circumstances beyond the applicant's control, such as unemployment and a divorce; The applicant demonstrated a commitment to living within his means and has not incurred significant recent debts.
Why the Applicant Prevailed
- The applicant acted responsibly to address his financial difficulties, including entering repayment plans and completing credit counseling.
- The financial issues were largely due to circumstances beyond the applicant's control, such as unemployment and a divorce.
- The applicant demonstrated a commitment to living within his means and has not incurred significant recent debts.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 20(b)appliedConditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person's Control
- AG ¶ 20(d)appliedIndividual Initiated and Is Adhering to a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors
- AG ¶ 20(c)appliedReceived Financial Counseling From a Legitimate Source
Key Rule Quoted
“A security clearance adjudication is an evaluation of a person’s judgment, reliability, and trustworthiness. It is not a debt-collection procedure.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedMar 28, 2017
- Answer filedApr 12, 2017
- Hearing heldNov 30, 2017
- Decision dateOct 11, 2018
Cite For
- Mitigation of Financial Issues Under Guideline F Due to Circumstances Beyond Control
- Responsible Actions Taken to Address Financial Obligations
- Evaluation of the Whole-person Concept in Security Clearance Decisions