Summary
The applicant, a 31-year-old employee of defense contractors, faced security concerns under Guideline F due to financial difficulties stemming from unemployment and medical expenses. He demonstrated efforts to mitigate these concerns by engaging in financial counseling, establishing a repayment plan, and resolving several debts. The administrative judge granted the security clearance, finding that the applicant had sufficiently addressed the financial issues.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: A medical account with an unidentified medical provider in the amount of $296 that was placed for collection with one collection agency and transferred or sold to another collection agency (1.a). A cable or internet account in the amount of $254 (1.b). Another cable or internet account with the same company, but with a different collection agent in the amount of $640 (1.c). A medical account in the amount of $92 (1.d). A medical account with an unidentified medical provider in the amount of $10 that was placed for collection (1.e). A medical account with an unidentified medical provider in the amount of $206 that was placed for collection (1.f). An account with a mobile telephone company in the amount of $1,128 that was placed for collection and subsequently transferred or sold to a collection agent (1.g). A medical account with an identified medical provider in the amount of $767 (1.h). A credit card account in the amount of $656 that was placed for collection but eventually sold to a factoring company as an account receivable (1.i). An account with the same mobile telephone company as that listed above in the amount of $111 that was placed for collection (1.j). A medical account with an unidentified medical provider in the amount of $590 that was eventually sold to a factoring company as an account receivable (1.k). A credit card account with a high credit of $513 that was placed for collection and charged off, and subsequently sold to a debt purchaser (1.l). Two student loans with a combined total balance of $12,689.29 that were placed for collection and subsequently transferred or sold to a collection agent (1.m). An apartment lease account in the amount of $1,695 (1.n). A medical account with an unidentified medical provider in the amount of $473 (1.o). A medical account with an unidentified medical provider in the amount of $422 (1.p). An unspecified account in the amount of $359 that was placed for collection (1.q). A medical account with an unidentified medical provider in the amount of $218 that was eventually sold to a factoring company as an account receivable (1.r). A medical account with an unidentified medical provider in the amount of $109 (1.s).
The judge granted the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions F.3, F.4. The judge applied mitigating conditions F.2, F.3, F.4. The decision turned on the following: The applicant demonstrated proactive efforts to resolve financial delinquencies through counseling and repayment plans; Several debts were either settled or in the process of being resolved, showing a commitment to financial responsibility; Positive character references highlighted the applicant's maturity and dependability, supporting his trustworthiness.
Why the Applicant Prevailed
- The applicant demonstrated proactive efforts to resolve financial delinquencies through counseling and repayment plans.
- Several debts were either settled or in the process of being resolved, showing a commitment to financial responsibility.
- Positive character references highlighted the applicant's maturity and dependability, supporting his trustworthiness.
Conditions Referenced
- F.3raisedInability to Satisfy Debts
- F.4rejectedUnexplained Affluence
- F.2appliedThe Conditions That Resulted in the Financial Difficulties Were Largely Beyond the Applicant's Control
- F.3appliedThe Applicant Has Made Efforts to Repay Overdue Debts
- F.4appliedThe Applicant Has a Good Track Record of Financial Responsibility
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 issuedDec 19, 2012
- Answer filedJan 4, 2013Sworn but undated statement
- Hearing heldFeb 13, 2013Hearing convened as scheduled
- Decision dateMar 13, 2013
Cite For
- Mitigation of Financial Considerations Under Guideline F
- Importance of Proactive Debt Resolution Efforts
- Character References as Supportive Evidence in Clearance Cases