Summary
The applicant, a 46-year-old security services supervisor employed by a defense contractor, faced security concerns under Guideline F due to financial issues, including a county tax lien and multiple delinquent debts totaling approximately $18,964. The applicant successfully mitigated these concerns by demonstrating a proactive approach to resolving her debts, including enrolling in a debt consolidation plan and making regular payments to creditors, leading to a favorable decision for her security clearance.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: County tax lien for $1,138 filed in September 2012 (1.a). Judgment in favor of credit card company filed in September 2008 for $968 (1.b). Past-due debt to a “medical creditor” for $1,053 (1.c). Collection account for $270 (1.d). Collection account for $8,441 (1.e). Collection account for $107 (1.f). Collection account for $1,246 (1.g). Collection account for $1,404 (1.h). Collection account for $346 (1.i). Collection account for $402 (1.j). Collection account for $1,545 (1.k). Collection account for $172 (1.l). Federal income taxes owed to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for tax year 2010 for $1,872 (1.m).
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), AG ¶ 20(e). The decision turned on the following: The applicant resolved several debts, including a county tax lien and a judgment against her; She demonstrated a proactive approach by enrolling in a debt consolidation plan and making regular payments; The applicant's financial difficulties were largely due to a temporary loss of income while caring for her granddaughter.
Why the applicant prevailed
- The applicant resolved several debts, including a county tax lien and a judgment against her.
- She demonstrated a proactive approach by enrolling in a debt consolidation plan and making regular payments.
- The applicant's financial difficulties were largely due to a temporary loss of income while caring for her granddaughter.
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)appliedThe Conditions 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
“Eligibility for a security clearance is predicated upon the applicant meeting the criteria contained in the adjudicative guidelines.”
Procedural posture
- SOR issuedMar 13, 2014
- Answer filedJun 24, 2014Applicant elected to have her case decided on the written record.
- Hearing held—No hearing; decided on the written record.
- Decision dateMar 31, 2015
Cite for
- Mitigation of Financial Issues Under Guideline F
- Impact of Temporary Financial Hardship on Security Clearance Eligibility
- Importance of Proactive Debt Resolution Efforts in Clearance Cases