Summary
A 38-year-old Instructional Systems Developer with a bachelor's degree was granted a security clearance despite initial concerns under Guideline F (Financial Considerations). The applicant had past-due debts totaling approximately $28,338. These included two medical debts for a minor child, paid in full on July 19, 2016, for $219 and $120, respectively. Another medical debt for a minor child, totaling $311, was paid on September 16, 2016.
Other resolved debts included two parking tickets for $29 and $31, paid on July 14, 2016, and a $97 past-due utility bill, also paid on July 14, 2016. A $445 past-due credit card debt was paid in full for less than the full balance on July 24, 2016. The applicant also made payment arrangements for a $778 past-due credit card debt, making consistent monthly payments since July 2016. For a $10,265 credit card debt, the collection agent ceased efforts and confirmed a $0 balance after the applicant could not validate the debt.
The applicant also made good-faith efforts to resolve two other debts: a $14,835 debt to a finance company and an $848 past-due credit card debt belonging to his wife, neither of which could be confirmed or validated despite repeated attempts. The judge granted the clearance, finding that all debts were resolved or being resolved, and the applicant demonstrated a stable financial situation post-unemployment, with financial issues largely due to circumstances beyond his control.
Why the applicant prevailed
- Applicant resolved all past-due debts and demonstrated a stable financial situation.
- The applicant provided evidence of good-faith efforts to repay creditors and maintain financial stability.
- The judge found that the applicant's financial issues were largely due to circumstances beyond his control.
Conditions referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 20(a)appliedBehavior Happened so Long Ago or Occurred Under Circumstances Unlikely to Recur
- AG ¶ 20(b)appliedConditions That Resulted in Financial Problems Were Largely Beyond the Person's Control
- AG ¶ 20(d)appliedIndividual Initiated and Is Adhering to a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors
- AG ¶ 20(e)appliedIndividual Has a Reasonable Basis to Dispute the Legitimacy of the Past-due Debt
Key rule quoted
“Any doubt concerning personnel being considered for national security eligibility will be resolved in favor of the national security.”
Procedural posture
- SOR issuedJun 27, 2016
- Answer filedJul 26, 2016
- Hearing heldOct 25, 2016Record left open until November 10, 2016.
- Decision dateJul 19, 2017
Cite for
- Mitigation of Financial Issues Under Guideline F
- Resolution of Debts as a Factor in Security Clearance Eligibility
- Consideration of Personal Circumstances Affecting Financial Stability