Summary
A 25-year-old electronic technician was granted a security clearance despite initial concerns under Guideline F (Financial Considerations). The Statement of Reasons (SOR) detailed six delinquent debts totaling approximately $15,757, which included collection accounts for telephone services, medical services, a cell phone company, and a former landlord, as well as a charged-off account for a vehicle repossession and a medical debt for his half-brother.
The applicant successfully mitigated these concerns by addressing each debt. He settled and paid the telephone company debt for $91.60, the physician's medical debt for $122, and the cell phone company debt for $240. He paid the former landlord's charged-off account of $185 in full and also fully paid the $164 medical debt for his half-brother. The largest debt, a $14,644 vehicle repossession account, was successfully disputed and removed from his credit reports.
In addition to resolving all alleged debts, the applicant received financial counseling and developed a viable budget, demonstrating a commitment to managing his finances and avoiding future issues. The judge concluded that the applicant's financial problems were resolved and did not cast doubt on his reliability or trustworthiness, leading to the security clearance being granted.
Why the Applicant Prevailed
- The applicant settled, paid, or successfully disputed all debts alleged in the SOR.
- The applicant received financial counseling and developed a viable budget to manage his finances.
- The applicant demonstrated a commitment to avoiding future financial issues and maintaining current expenses.
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)appliedConditions 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
- AG ¶ 20(d)appliedThe Individual Initiated a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors or Otherwise Resolve Debts
- AG ¶ 20(e)appliedThe Individual Has a Reasonable Basis to Dispute the Legitimacy of the Past-due Debt
Key Rule Quoted
“The ultimate determination of whether to grant eligibility for a security clearance must be an overall commonsense judgment based upon careful consideration of the guidelines and the whole person concept.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedAug 31, 2009
- Answer filedSep 24, 2009
- Hearing heldNov 18, 2009
- Decision dateMar 30, 2010
Cite For
- Mitigation of Financial Issues Under Guideline F
- Importance of Financial Counseling in Security Clearance Cases
- Whole Person Concept in Evaluating Security Clearance Eligibility