Summary
The applicant, a 55-year-old service center manager for a Department of Defense contractor, faced concerns under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline F (Financial Considerations) due to debts incurred after the end of a 16-year relationship. After becoming aware of her debts, she made good-faith efforts to resolve them, leading to the granting of her security clearance.
Under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: Medical bill collection account $124.00 (1.a). Credit card collection account $6,252.00 (1.b). Credit card collection account $6,154.00 (1.c). Phone company collection account $668.00 (1.d). Medical bill collection account $156.00 (1.e). Medical bill collection account $362.00 (1.f). Medical bill collection account $692.00 (1.g). Phone company collection account $234.00 (1.h). Phone company collection account $234.00 (1.i). Phone company collection account $141.00 (1.j).
The judge granted the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions E2.A6.1.2.1, E2.A6.1.2.3. The judge applied mitigating conditions E2.A6.1.3.3, E2.A6.1.3.6. The decision turned on the following: The applicant made good-faith efforts to pay or resolve all her debts after becoming aware of them; She credibly believed her former partner would pay their joint debts, which explained her initial denial of having any debts over 180 days delinquent; The applicant's financial difficulties were largely due to circumstances beyond her control, specifically the end of a long-term relationship.
Why the Applicant Prevailed
- The applicant made good-faith efforts to pay or resolve all her debts after becoming aware of them.
- She credibly believed her former partner would pay their joint debts, which explained her initial denial of having any debts over 180 days delinquent.
- The applicant's financial difficulties were largely due to circumstances beyond her control, specifically the end of a long-term relationship.
Conditions Referenced
- E2.A6.1.2.1raisedDC (1) - A History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- E2.A6.1.2.3raisedDC (3) - Inability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- E2.A6.1.3.3appliedMC (3) - the Conditions That Resulted in the Behavior Were Largely Beyond the Person's Control
- E2.A6.1.3.6appliedMC (6) - the Individual Initiated a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors or Otherwise Resolve Debts
Key Rule Quoted
“"the adjudicative process is an examination of a sufficient period of a person's life to make an affirmative determination that the person is eligible for a security clearance."”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedAug 22, 2006
- Answer filedSep 13, 2006
- Hearing heldDec 1, 2006
- Decision dateJan 30, 2007
Cite For
- Mitigating Circumstances Related to Financial Difficulties Under Guideline F
- Credibility of Applicant's Belief Regarding Debt Responsibility
- Good-faith Efforts to Resolve Debts as a Mitigating Factor