Summary
The applicant, a 33-year-old warehouse technician for a defense contractor, faced security concerns under Guideline F due to admitted delinquent debts totaling over $20,000, primarily from medical expenses related to a serious health condition. The judge granted the security clearance, finding that the applicant's financial issues were largely due to circumstances beyond his control, including job loss and medical emergencies, and that he had taken responsible steps to manage his debts.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: medical collection accounts for $254 (1.a). medical collection accounts for $842 (1.b). medical collection accounts for $16 (1.c). medical collection accounts for $20 (1.d). medical collection accounts for $14 (1.e). medical collection accounts for $20 (1.f). medical collection accounts for $20 (1.g). medical collection accounts for $36 (1.h). medical collection accounts for $434 (1.i). medical collection accounts for $38 (1.j). medical collection accounts for $675 (1.k). medical collection accounts for $150 (1.l). medical collection accounts for $873 (1.m). medical collection accounts for $2,568 (1.n). a credit card debt in collection for $901 (1.o). a cable company debt in collection for $101 (1.p). a credit card in collection for $1,605 (1.q). a credit card in collection for $640 (1.r). a department store credit account in collection for $1,145 (1.s). medical collection accounts for $2,568 (1.t). medical collection accounts for $842 (1.u). medical collection accounts for $434 (1.v). medical collection accounts for $9,238 (1.w). medical collection accounts for $1,219 (1.x). medical collection accounts for $2,277 (1.y).
The judge granted the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions FC DC ¶ 19(a), FC DC ¶ 19(c). The judge applied mitigating conditions FC MC ¶ 20(a), FC MC ¶ 20(b), FC MC ¶ 20(d). The decision turned on the following: The applicant's financial difficulties were primarily due to a serious medical condition and job loss, which were beyond his control; He is currently employed with a defense contractor and meets his financial obligations, including child support payments; The applicant demonstrated a strong desire to repay his debts and has made some payments towards them.
Why the Applicant Prevailed
- The applicant's financial difficulties were primarily due to a serious medical condition and job loss, which were beyond his control.
- He is currently employed with a defense contractor and meets his financial obligations, including child support payments.
- The applicant demonstrated a strong desire to repay his debts and has made some payments towards them.
Conditions Referenced
- FC DC ¶ 19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- FC DC ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- FC MC ¶ 20(a)appliedThe Behavior Happened so Long Ago, Was so Infrequent, or Occurred Under Such Circumstances That It Is Unlikely to Recur
- FC MC ¶ 20(b)appliedThe Conditions That Resulted in the Financial Problems Were Largely Beyond the Person’s Control
- FC MC ¶ 20(d)appliedThe Individual Has Initiated a Good-faith Effort to Repay the Overdue Creditors or Otherwise Resolve Debts
Key Rule Quoted
“A person who seeks access to classified information enters into a fiduciary relationship with the Government predicated upon trust and confidence.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedNov 28, 2008
- Answer filedJan 9, 2009
- Hearing heldMar 20, 2009
- Decision dateApr 14, 2009
Cite For
- Mitigating Circumstances for Financial Difficulties Due to Medical Issues
- Consideration of the Whole Person Concept in Security Clearance Decisions
- Impact of Job Loss on Financial Obligations Under Guideline F