Summary
The applicant, a 28-year-old financial systems analyst, faced security concerns under Guideline F due to a history of delinquent debts totaling approximately $9,500. The applicant successfully mitigated these concerns by settling all debts and demonstrating current financial stability, leading to the granting of her security clearance.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: The applicant has a delinquent debt of $2,075 (1.a). The applicant has a delinquent department store account of $566, settled for $469 (1.b). The applicant has a delinquent debt of $956, which is a duplication of another debt (1.c). The applicant has a delinquent credit card debt of $2,059, settled for $1,100 (1.d). The applicant has a delinquent debt of $343, which is a duplication of another debt (1.e). The applicant has a delinquent debt of $957, which is a duplication of another debt (1.f). The applicant has a delinquent credit card debt of $2,627, settled for $1,383 (1.g). The applicant has a delinquent debt of $258, which is a duplication of another debt (1.h). The applicant has a delinquent department store account for $889, settled for $642 (1.i). The applicant has a delinquent debt of $2,033, which is a duplication of another debt (1.j). The applicant has a delinquent debt of $2,096, which is a duplication of another debt (1.k).
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), AG ¶ 20(e). The decision turned on the following: Applicant settled and paid all delinquent debts listed in the SOR; She currently has no delinquent debts and has demonstrated financial stability; Her financial issues were largely due to circumstances beyond her control, including illness.
Why the Applicant Prevailed
- Applicant settled and paid all delinquent debts listed in the SOR.
- She currently has no delinquent debts and has demonstrated financial stability.
- Her financial issues were largely due to circumstances beyond her control, including illness.
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
- AG ¶ 20(e)rejectedThe Individual Has a Reasonable Basis to Dispute the Legitimacy of the Past-due DebtNot all debts were disputed, but some were identified as duplications.
Key Rule Quoted
“Eligibility for a security clearance is predicated upon the Applicant meeting the criteria contained in the revised adjudicative guidelines (AG).”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedApr 22, 2008
- Answer filedMay 16, 2008Requested a hearing.
- Hearing heldApr 6, 2009
- Decision dateApr 20, 2009
Cite For
- Mitigation of Financial Considerations Under Guideline F
- Resolution of Delinquent Debts as a Factor in Security Clearance Decisions
- Impact of Personal Circumstances on Financial Responsibility Assessments