Summary
The applicant, a 52-year-old security specialist with a history of military and defense contractor employment, faced security concerns under Guideline F (Financial Considerations) due to multiple delinquent debts totaling approximately $35,714. The administrative judge found that the applicant did not provide sufficient evidence to mitigate these concerns, leading to a denial of eligibility for access to classified information.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: credit-card account referred for collection of $9,700. Applicant used this credit card to purchase a timeshare (1.a). credit-card account charged off for $5,568. Applicant used this credit card for daily living expenses (1.b). collection account for $9,123. In the April 2019 PSI, Applicant was unable to provide any information about this account. The December 2019 credit report reflects that it is an educational debt (1.c). collection accounts on behalf of the same original creditor for $3,004; $2,730; $2,204; and $1,763. Applicant has provided no information about these accounts (1.d). telecommunications account referred for collection of $681. This debt was referred for collection in June 2016 (1.h). debts of $216 and $185 to an insurance company. Applicant switched insurance companies before paying the full premium to the first insurance company. The debts are for unpaid premiums (1.i).
The judge denied 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(d). The decision turned on the following: The applicant admitted to ten delinquent debts totaling approximately $35,714; The applicant provided no evidence of efforts to resolve the debts or communicate with creditors; The applicant's financial issues were recent and numerous, indicating a lack of responsible financial management.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant admitted to ten delinquent debts totaling approximately $35,714.
- The applicant provided no evidence of efforts to resolve the debts or communicate with creditors.
- The applicant's financial issues were recent and numerous, indicating a lack of responsible financial management.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)appliedInability to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)appliedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 20(a)rejectedBehavior Happened so Long Ago, Was Infrequent, or Occurred Under Circumstances Unlikely to RecurThe applicant's delinquent debts are recent and numerous.
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedConditions Resulting in Financial Problems Were Largely Beyond the Person's ControlThe applicant did not provide sufficient evidence to support this claim.
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedIndividual Initiated and Is Adhering to a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue CreditorsThe applicant submitted no evidence of attempts to resolve the debts.
Key Rule Quoted
“Eligibility for a security clearance is predicated upon the applicant meeting the criteria contained in the adjudicative guidelines.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedAug 30, 2019
- Answer filedOct 23, 2019
- Hearing held—Applicant requested a decision on the written record without a hearing.
- Decision dateMar 12, 2020
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Financial Irresponsibility Under Guideline F
- Importance of Providing Evidence to Mitigate Financial Concerns
- Criteria for Evaluating Financial Considerations in Security Clearance Cases