Summary
A 57-year-old male applicant was denied a security clearance under Guideline F, Financial Considerations, due to significant and unresolved debts totaling approximately $90,000. These debts included delinquent child support obligations and six delinquent credit card accounts amounting to about $64,500. The applicant admitted to all seven financial allegations detailed in the Statement of Reasons.
The applicant attributed his financial difficulties to periods of unemployment and a divorce. However, he failed to provide evidence of any efforts to pay, settle, or otherwise resolve his outstanding debts. He also had not participated in financial counseling, and his financial problems were deemed recent and ongoing.
The decision highlighted that the applicant did not demonstrate financial responsibility or make good-faith efforts to repay creditors, raising concerns about his reliability and trustworthiness. Despite the application of some mitigating conditions, the lack of demonstrated effort to resolve the admitted financial issues ultimately led to the denial of his security clearance.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- Applicant admitted to multiple financial allegations, including delinquent child support and credit card debts totaling approximately $90,000.
- He presented no evidence of efforts to pay, settle, or resolve any of the SOR debts.
- His financial problems are recent and ongoing, and he did not demonstrate financial responsibility.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 20(b)appliedConditions Largely Beyond the Person's ControlApplicant's periods of unemployment and underemployment were considered circumstances beyond his control.
- AG ¶ 20(c)rejectedReceived Counseling or Indications That the Problem Is Being ResolvedApplicant presented no evidence of counseling or efforts to resolve debts.
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedGood-faith Effort to Repay Overdue CreditorsApplicant did not demonstrate any good-faith efforts to repay creditors.
Key Rule Quoted
“Once a concern arises regarding an applicant’s security clearance eligibility, there is a strong presumption against the grant or maintenance of a security clearance.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedJul 3, 2018
- Answer filedJul 19, 2018
- Hearing heldDec 18, 2018
- Decision dateMar 8, 2019
Cite For
- Insufficient Evidence of Financial Responsibility Under Guideline F
- Impact of Financial Distress on Reliability and Trustworthiness
- Presumption Against Granting Security Clearance When Concerns Arise