Summary
The applicant, a 28-year-old single mother and administrative assistant for a defense contractor, faced security concerns under Guideline F due to financial issues. The applicant demonstrated a proactive approach to resolving her debts, including paying off several accounts and maintaining current payments on others. The judge found that the applicant's financial management and efforts to address her debts mitigated the security concerns, resulting in a granted security clearance.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: a medical collection account for $100 (1.a). another medical collection account for $100 (1.b). a collection account for a fitness center for $220 (1.c). a charged off account to a finance company for $220 (1.d). a charged off account to the same finance agency for $186 (1.e). a credit card debt charged off for $1,329 (1.f). a collection account for a retail store chain for $697 (1.g). a collection account for another department store for $358 (1.h). a mortgage account 90 days past due for $1,000 (1.i). a credit card account charged off for $1,375 (1.j). an automobile loan charge off for $10,465 (1.k). a medical account in collection for $100 (1.l). a cash advance account in collection for $420 (1.m). an insurance account in collection for $325 (1.n).
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 actively worked to resolve her debts and demonstrated financial responsibility; She paid off several delinquent debts and maintained current payments on others; The applicant's financial situation was deemed manageable, indicating reliability and trustworthiness.
Why the Applicant Prevailed
- The applicant actively worked to resolve her debts and demonstrated financial responsibility.
- She paid off several delinquent debts and maintained current payments on others.
- The applicant's financial situation was deemed manageable, indicating reliability and trustworthiness.
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 and Does Not Cast Doubt on the Individual’s Current Reliability, Trustworthiness, or Good Judgment
- AG ¶ 20(b)appliedThe Conditions That Resulted in the Financial Problems Were Largely Beyond the Person’s Control and the Individual Acted Responsibly Under the Circumstances
- AG ¶ 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 issuedMay 28, 2009
- Answer filedJul 10, 2009
- Hearing heldSep 3, 2009
- Decision dateNov 17, 2009
Cite For
- Mitigation of Financial Concerns Under Guideline F
- Demonstrating a Proactive Approach to Debt Resolution
- Consideration of the Whole Person Concept in Security Clearance Decisions