Summary
The applicant, a 51-year-old woman, faced security concerns under Guideline F (financial considerations) and Guideline G (alcohol involvement) due to financial issues stemming from her divorce and two alcohol-related arrests in 2014. The judge found that the applicant made good faith efforts to resolve her debts and took significant steps to address her alcohol consumption, leading to a decision to grant her security clearance.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations) and Guideline G (Alcohol Consumption), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: SOR ¶ 1.a is a $1,588 judgment issued against Applicant in December 2013 in favor of a university (1.a). SOR ¶ 1.b is a $2,237 judgment issued against Applicant in April 2010 by a collection agency for a retail store (1.b). SOR ¶ 1.c is a $172 medical debt in collection (1.c). SOR ¶ 1.d is a $601 debt in collection to a phone company (1.d). SOR ¶ 1.e is a $3,681 charged-off debt to a credit card company (1.e). SOR ¶ 1.f is a past due debt of $7,577 related to the mortgage on the home Applicant owned with her first husband (1.f). SOR ¶ 1.g is a $1,657 medical debt in collection (1.g). SOR ¶ 1.h is a $417 medical debt in collection (1.h). SOR ¶ 1.i is a $140 medical debt in collection (1.i). You were arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI) in September 2014 (2.a). You were charged with felony assault on a police officer and public intoxication in November 2014 (2.b). You have consumed alcohol, at times to excess and to the point of intoxication, from approximately 1982 through November 2014 (2.c).
The judge granted the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions F.19(a), F.19(c), G.22(a), G.22(g). The judge applied mitigating conditions F.20(b), F.20(d), F.20(a), G.23(a), G.23(b). The decision turned on the following: The applicant demonstrated a good faith effort to pay or resolve her debts, mitigating financial concerns; She took steps to curtail her alcohol issues, showing they are unlikely to recur.
Why the Applicant Prevailed
- The applicant demonstrated a good faith effort to pay or resolve her debts, mitigating financial concerns.
- She took steps to curtail her alcohol issues, showing they are unlikely to recur.
Conditions Referenced
- F.19(a)raisedInability to Satisfy Debts
- F.19(c)raisedHistory of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- G.22(a)raisedAlcohol-related Incidents Away From Work
- G.22(g)raisedFailure to Follow Any Court Order Regarding Alcohol Education
- F.20(b)appliedConditions Largely Beyond the Person's Control
- F.20(d)appliedGood-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors
- F.20(a)appliedBehavior Unlikely to Recur
- G.23(a)appliedTime Has Passed or Behavior Unlikely to Recur
- G.23(b)appliedAcknowledgment of Alcohol Use and Evidence of Actions Taken
Key Rule Quoted
“The protection of the national security is the paramount consideration.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedMar 18, 2016
- Answer filedMay 23, 2016
- Hearing heldJul 10, 2017via video teleconference
- Decision dateAug 8, 2017
Cite For
- Mitigation of Financial Concerns Due to Good Faith Efforts to Resolve Debts
- Mitigation of Alcohol Involvement Concerns Through Demonstrated Behavioral Changes
- Consideration of Personal Circumstances Affecting Financial and Alcohol-related Issues