Summary
A 42-year-old contract specialist for a defense contractor was granted a security clearance despite concerns under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline F (Financial Considerations). The Statement of Reasons cited a 2016 state tax lien for $14,674, a 2011 adverse judgment for $2,062, and delinquent student loan debts totaling $7,671. Additionally, the applicant had accumulated over $1,000 in delinquent medical and consumer debts. A key allegation under Personal Conduct was the alleged deliberate omission of the adverse judgment and delinquent student loans from her July 2016 e-QIP.
Disqualifying conditions related to financial issues were raised, but mitigating conditions were applied. The applicant demonstrated significant progress in resolving her financial issues. She provided evidence of a payment agreement for the state tax lien and documented payments.
Her explanations for the e-QIP omissions, citing misunderstanding, were corroborated and accepted. Due to her considerable financial progress and the acceptance of her explanation for the omissions, the security clearance was GRANTED.
Why the Applicant Prevailed
- The applicant made considerable financial progress by addressing and resolving her debts.
- She provided evidence of a payment agreement for her state tax lien and documented payments made.
- The applicant's claims of misunderstanding regarding her e-QIP omissions were corroborated and accepted.
Conditions Referenced
- FDC ¶ 19(a)raisedInability to Satisfy Debts
- FDC ¶ 19(b)raisedUnwillingness to Satisfy Debts Regardless of the Ability to Do So
- FDC ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- FDC ¶ 19(f)raisedFailure to File or Fraudulently Filing Annual Federal, State, or Local Income Tax Returns or Failure to Pay Annual Federal, State, or Local Income Tax as Required
- MC ¶ 20(c)appliedThe Individual Has Received Financial Counseling for the Problem From a Legitimate and Credible Source
- MC ¶ 20(d)appliedThe Individual Initiated and Is Adhering to a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors or Otherwise Resolve Debts
- MC ¶ 20(e)appliedThe Individual Has a Reasonable Basis to Dispute the Legitimacy of the Past-due Debt Which Is the Cause of the Problem
Key Rule Quoted
“Eligibility for access to classified information is granted.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedSep 27, 2017
- Answer filedNov 13, 2017Applicant elected to have her case decided on the written record.
- Hearing held—Case assigned on 05/10/2018.
- Decision dateJun 28, 2018
Cite For
- Mitigation of Financial Concerns Through Evidence of Debt Resolution
- Good-faith Efforts in Addressing Financial Obligations
- Corroboration of Applicant's Claims Regarding E-qip Omissions