Summary
The applicant, a 35-year-old personal computer technician and former Navy member, sought a security clearance under Guideline F due to financial concerns stemming from medical debts incurred after a motorcycle accident. The judge found that the applicant had made significant efforts to repay his debts and had learned to maintain full insurance coverage, ultimately granting the clearance.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: $325 medical debt (1.a). $1,207 medical debt (1.b). $26,043 medical debt (1.c). $149 medical debt (1.d). $1,482 medical debt (1.e). $825 credit card account charged off (1.f). $582 gym membership account placed for collection (1.g).
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(c), AG ¶ 20(d). The decision turned on the following: Applicant demonstrated a good-faith effort to repay overdue creditors and resolve debts; Most debts were incurred due to a single event (motorcycle accident) and are being managed responsibly; Applicant's financial problems are under control, with evidence of timely payments and a stable financial situation.
Why the Applicant Prevailed
- Applicant demonstrated a good-faith effort to repay overdue creditors and resolve debts.
- Most debts were incurred due to a single event (motorcycle accident) and are being managed responsibly.
- Applicant's financial problems are under control, with evidence of timely payments and a stable financial situation.
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 Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person's Control
- AG ¶ 20(c)appliedThe Person Has Received or Is Receiving Counseling for the Problem And/or There Are Clear Indications That the Problem Is Being Resolved or Is Under Control
- AG ¶ 20(d)appliedThe Individual Initiated a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors or Otherwise Resolve Debts
Key Rule Quoted
“The protection of the national security is the paramount consideration.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedMar 18, 2010
- Answer filedApr 19, 2010
- Hearing heldJun 29, 2010
- Decision dateOct 20, 2010
Cite For
- Mitigation of Financial Issues Under Guideline F
- Consideration of the Whole-person Concept in Security Clearance Decisions
- Impact of Medical Debts on Financial Responsibility Assessments