Summary
The applicant, a 55-year-old assistant professor and pastor, sought a security clearance under Guideline F due to financial considerations. He admitted to several delinquent debts but demonstrated significant efforts to resolve them, including establishing payment plans and receiving financial counseling. The judge granted the clearance, finding that the applicant's financial issues were largely due to unforeseen circumstances and that he had taken responsible steps to address them.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: a delinquent medical account amounting to $55 (1.a). a delinquent student loan account for $246 (1.b). a delinquent student loan account for $535 (1.c). a delinquent account placed in collection in September 2007 for approximately $9,308 (1.d). a second installment loan account for approximately $11,134 (1.e).
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: The applicant established payment plans for delinquent debts and made significant payments to creditors; He provided evidence of financial counseling and a commitment to improve his financial management; The applicant's financial difficulties were largely due to taking on additional family responsibilities, which the judge found commendable.
Why the applicant prevailed
- The applicant established payment plans for delinquent debts and made significant payments to creditors.
- He provided evidence of financial counseling and a commitment to improve his financial management.
- The applicant's financial difficulties were largely due to taking on additional family responsibilities, which the judge found commendable.
Conditions referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Failing to Meet 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, and the Person Acted Responsibly Under the Circumstances
- 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
Key rule quoted
“Failure or inability to live within one’s means, satisfy debts and meet financial obligations may indicate poor self-control, lack of judgment, or unwillingness to abide by rules and regulations, all of which can raise questions about an individual’s reliability, trustworthiness, and ability to protect classified information.”
Procedural posture
- SOR issuedundated
- Answer filedMar 27, 2009
- Hearing heldJun 23, 2009
- Decision dateNov 30, 2009
Cite for
- Mitigation of Financial Issues Under Guideline F
- Consideration of Family Responsibilities in Financial Evaluations
- Importance of Proactive Financial Management and Counseling in Security Clearance Cases