Summary
A 40-year-old federal contractor with over eight years of service was granted a security clearance despite initial concerns under Guideline F (Financial Considerations). The applicant's financial difficulties stemmed primarily from his wife's overspending, which led to wage garnishment for back child support.
The Statement of Reasons highlighted a history of delinquent debts, but also noted the applicant's recent efforts to resolve them. Specifically, he repaid all back child support and several other debts, sought financial counseling, and established a repayment plan for his remaining obligations. For two specific debts, he either found the company out of business with no contact to resolve the debt, or found no record that he owed the debt after seeking information.
The judge found that the applicant successfully mitigated the security concerns by demonstrating a firm commitment to resolving his financial issues and taking control of his finances. The clearance was granted based on the repayment of significant debts, engagement in credit counseling, and the establishment of a clear repayment plan for outstanding obligations.
Why the Applicant Prevailed
- Applicant has repaid all back child support and several other debts.
- He has sought credit counseling and established a repayment plan for remaining debts.
- The applicant demonstrated a commitment to resolving his financial issues and took control of his finances.
Conditions Referenced
- FC DC 19 (a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- FC DC 19 (c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- FC MC 20 (a)rejectedThe 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 JudgmentDebts are recent and not isolated.
- FC MC 20 (b)rejectedThe Conditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person's ControlApplicant did not take immediate control of finances when aware of the issues.
- FC MC 20 (c)appliedThe Person Received or Is Receiving Counseling for the Problem And/or There Are Clear Indications That the Problem Is Being Resolved or Is Under ControlApplicant has sought financial counseling and made payments.
- FC MC 20 (d)appliedThe Individual Initiated a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors or Otherwise Resolve DebtsApplicant has made a firm commitment to resolve remaining delinquent debts.
Key Rule Quoted
“Each security clearance decision must be a fair and impartial common sense determination based upon consideration of all the relevant and material information and the pertinent criteria and adjudication policy.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedSep 29, 2006
- Answer filedNov 3, 2006Applicant responded to SOR allegations.
- Hearing held—Case decided on the written record.
- Decision dateMar 26, 2007
Cite For
- Mitigation of Financial Issues Under Guideline F
- Importance of Demonstrating Good-faith Efforts to Resolve Debts
- Consideration of the Whole Person in Security Clearance Evaluations