Summary
The applicant, a 58-year-old defense contractor, faced security concerns under Guideline F due to financial issues totaling $39,700 in indebtedness. The applicant demonstrated a good-faith effort to resolve debts stemming from unemployment and has maintained current payments on existing obligations. The judge concluded that the applicant mitigated the financial considerations security concerns and granted eligibility for a security clearance.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: SOR ¶ 1.a is a delinquent medical debt for $352 (1.a). SOR ¶ 1.b is a store credit card charged off for $4,891 (1.b). SOR ¶ 1.c is a delinquent store credit card for $3,495 (1.c). SOR ¶ 1.d is a delinquent credit card for $1,300, placed for collection with Midland (1.d). SOR ¶ 1.e is a delinquent store credit card for $1,649, placed for collection with Midland (1.e). SOR ¶ 1.g is a delinquent store account of $3,657 placed for collection (1.g). SOR ¶ 1.h is a delinquent account for $1,924 (1.h). SOR ¶ 1.j is a delinquent account for $3,814 (1.j). SOR ¶ 1.k is a delinquent account for $2,265 (1.k). SOR ¶ 1.l is a $4,799 judgment rendered in favor of Midland against Applicant in October 2014 (1.l). SOR ¶ 1.m is a $2,220 judgment for a store credit card entered against Applicant in October 2014 (1.m). SOR ¶ 1.n is a $7,084 judgment for a credit card entered against Applicant in April 2014 (1.n). SOR ¶ 1.p is a delinquent account for $2,265 (1.p).
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). The decision turned on the following: The applicant demonstrated a good-faith effort to resolve delinquent debts after experiencing significant unemployment; The applicant is current on his mortgage and has paid off car loans, indicating financial responsibility; The applicant's current income and repayment track record suggest a commitment to resolving remaining debts.
Why the Applicant Prevailed
- The applicant demonstrated a good-faith effort to resolve delinquent debts after experiencing significant unemployment.
- The applicant is current on his mortgage and has paid off car loans, indicating financial responsibility.
- The applicant's current income and repayment track record suggest a commitment to resolving remaining debts.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability 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(d)appliedGood-faith Effort to Repay Debts
Key Rule Quoted
“The protection of the national security is the paramount consideration.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedSep 28, 2016
- Answer filedOct 28, 2016
- Hearing heldMay 10, 2017
- Decision dateJun 21, 2017
Cite For
- Good-faith Efforts to Resolve Financial Issues Under Guideline F
- Mitigation of Financial Considerations Due to Unemployment
- Whole-person Concept in Evaluating Security Clearance Eligibility