Summary
The applicant, a 33-year-old tech specialist and former Marine, faced security concerns under Guidelines F (financial considerations) and J (criminal conduct) due to unresolved debts exceeding $12,000 and an outstanding warrant related to a DWI conviction. Despite some debts being settled, the judge found the applicant's overall financial situation and criminal history insufficient to mitigate the concerns, resulting in a denial of security clearance.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations) and Guideline J (Criminal Conduct), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: Three Bank Accounts Charged-Off in the Total Amount of $12,097 (1.a). Two Education Loans Placed for Collection in the Total Amount of $7,853 (1.b). Credit Account Placed for Collection in the Amount of $4,419 (1.c). Unpaid Education Account in the Amount of $3,744 (1.d). Unpaid Rent in the Amount of $2,550 (1.e). Unpaid Communication Accounts Placed for Collection in the Total Amount of $615 (1.g). Unpaid Communication Accounts Placed for Collection in the Total Amount of $615 (1.h). Unpaid credit card and an overdrawn bank account (1.i). Unpaid credit card and an overdrawn bank account (1.j). Unpaid Court Costs and Fine in Amount of $161 (1.k). June 2016 DWI, 1st Offense Conviction (2.a). Warrant for Failure to attend Court-Ordered Alcohol Abuse Classes (2.b).
The judge denied the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 19(a), AG ¶ 19(c), AG ¶ 31(b), AG ¶ 31(d). The decision turned on the following: The applicant failed to pay debts totaling over $12,000, indicating financial irresponsibility; An outstanding warrant for failure to comply with court-ordered alcohol rehabilitation raised significant trustworthiness concerns; The applicant did not seek financial counseling or demonstrate a good-faith effort to resolve his debts.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant failed to pay debts totaling over $12,000, indicating financial irresponsibility.
- An outstanding warrant for failure to comply with court-ordered alcohol rehabilitation raised significant trustworthiness concerns.
- The applicant did not seek financial counseling or demonstrate a good-faith effort to resolve his debts.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 31(b)raisedEvidence of Criminal Conduct
- AG ¶ 31(d)raisedViolation or Revocation of Parole or Probation
Key Rule Quoted
“No one has a ‘right’ to a security clearance.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedJun 7, 2019
- Answer filedJul 9, 2019
- Hearing heldJan 7, 2020
- Decision dateMar 10, 2020
Cite For
- Insufficient Evidence to Mitigate Financial Obligations Under Guideline F
- Impact of Unresolved Criminal Conduct on Security Clearance Eligibility Under Guideline J
- Importance of Demonstrating Good-faith Efforts to Resolve Debts in Security Clearance Cases