Summary
The applicant, a 31-year-old computer technician and veteran, faced security concerns under Guideline F due to financial issues, including multiple delinquent debts. He demonstrated a significant effort to resolve these debts, having paid eight of nine debts in full and disputing one debt related to a state tax lien. The judge found that the applicant's financial management and military service mitigated the security concerns, resulting in a granted security clearance.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: a medical debt in collection for $261 (1.a). a state tax lien for $5,640 (1.b). a credit card debt charged off for $300 (1.c). a charged off bank debt for $1,456 (1.d). a student loan to a university for $700 (1.e). a charged off credit card account for $1,160 (1.f). a collection account on a car loan for $8,550 (1.g). two debts placed for collection for the same insurance company for $470 (1.h). two debts placed for collection for the same insurance company for $313 (1.i).
The judge granted the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 19(a), AG ¶ 19(c). The judge applied mitigating conditions AG ¶ 20(a), AG ¶ 20(b), AG ¶ 20(d), AG ¶ 20(e). The decision turned on the following: Applicant paid eight of nine delinquent debts in full, demonstrating responsible financial behavior; The remaining debt is being disputed, with a reasonable basis for the dispute, indicating proactive financial management; The applicant's military service and current financial stability contributed to a favorable assessment of his reliability.
Why the Applicant Prevailed
- Applicant paid eight of nine delinquent debts in full, demonstrating responsible financial behavior.
- The remaining debt is being disputed, with a reasonable basis for the dispute, indicating proactive financial management.
- The applicant's military service and current financial stability contributed to a favorable assessment of his reliability.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 20(a)appliedThe Behavior Happened so Long Ago, Was so Infrequent, or Occurred Under Such Circumstances That It Is Unlikely to Recur
- AG ¶ 20(b)appliedThe Conditions That Resulted in the Financial Problems Were Largely Beyond the Person’s Control
- AG ¶ 20(d)appliedThe Individual Has Initiated a Good-faith Effort to Repay the Overdue Creditors or Otherwise Resolve Debts
- AG ¶ 20(e)appliedThe Individual Has a Reasonable Basis to Dispute the Legitimacy of the Past-due Debt
Key Rule Quoted
“A person who seeks access to classified information enters into a fiduciary relationship with the government predicated upon trust and confidence.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedJun 19, 2009
- Answer filedJul 15, 2009
- Hearing heldOct 22, 2009
- Decision dateJan 29, 2010
Cite For
- Mitigation of Financial Concerns Under Guideline F
- Importance of Demonstrating a Good-faith Effort to Resolve Debts
- Consideration of Military Service in Security Clearance Evaluations