Summary
The applicant, a 51-year-old quality engineer, faced security concerns under Guideline F due to nine delinquent debts totaling $66,847. He successfully resolved most of his debts and demonstrated a credible plan to address the remaining debts, leading to the granting of his security clearance.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: SOR ¶ 1.a alleges Applicant’s $231,851 mortgage account was $19,658 delinquent (1.a). SOR ¶ 1.b alleges a home equity loan with a balance of $17,954 (1.b). SOR ¶ 1.c alleges a charged-off bank credit card for $9,639 (1.c). SOR ¶ 1.d alleges a bank credit card placed for collection for $8,945 (1.d). SOR ¶ 1.e alleges a $7,700 student loan taken out to pay for his daughter’s education that is past due in the amount of $513 (1.e). SOR ¶ 1.f alleges a charged-off bank credit card for $3,774 (1.f). SOR ¶ 1.g alleges a store credit card placed for collection for $3,551 (1.g). SOR ¶ 1.h alleges a charged-off bank debt for $2,623 (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(a), AG ¶ 20(b), AG ¶ 20(c), AG ¶ 20(d). The decision turned on the following: Applicant resolved six out of nine delinquent debts before the hearing; He demonstrated a credible plan to bring remaining debts to current status; His financial issues were largely due to a period of unemployment, which was beyond his control.
Why the Applicant Prevailed
- Applicant resolved six out of nine delinquent debts before the hearing.
- He demonstrated a credible plan to bring remaining debts to current status.
- His financial issues were largely due to a period of unemployment, which was beyond his control.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedHistory of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 20(a)appliedBehavior Happened Long Ago or Infrequently
- AG ¶ 20(b)appliedConditions Largely Beyond the Person's Control
- AG ¶ 20(c)appliedReceived Counseling or Indications of Resolution
- AG ¶ 20(d)appliedGood-faith Effort to Repay Debts
Key Rule Quoted
“Eligibility for a security clearance is predicated upon the applicant meeting the criteria contained in the adjudicative guidelines.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedJun 14, 2016
- Answer filedAug 30, 2016
- Hearing heldDec 7, 2016
- Decision dateJan 26, 2017
Cite For
- Mitigation of Financial Considerations Under Guideline F
- Importance of Demonstrating a Plan for Debt Resolution
- Impact of Unemployment on Financial Obligations