Summary
The applicant, a 46-year-old male with two children, faced security clearance denial under Guidelines F (Financial Considerations) and G (Alcohol Consumption) due to significant financial debts exceeding $78,000 and a history of alcohol abuse, including four DUI convictions. The administrative judge determined that the applicant's financial issues and alcohol-related incidents raised serious concerns about his reliability and trustworthiness, leading to the denial of his security clearance.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations) and Guideline G (Alcohol Consumption), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: Applicant owes over $74,000 in past-due student loans (1.a). Applicant owes a past-due debt of $2,905 to Creditor C (1.c). Applicant owes a past-due debt of $284 to Creditor D (1.d). Applicant owes a past-due debt of $256 to Creditor E (1.e). Applicant has a long history of alcohol abuse and has multiple DUI convictions (2.a).
The judge denied the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 19(a), AG ¶ 19(b), AG ¶ 19(c), AG ¶ 22(a). The judge applied mitigating conditions AG ¶ 20(a), AG ¶ 20(b), AG ¶ 23(a). The decision turned on the following: The applicant admitted to over $78,000 in past-due debts, including student loans and other financial obligations; The applicant has a long history of alcohol abuse, with four DUI convictions spanning from 1997 to 2018; The applicant failed to demonstrate that his financial difficulties were under control or that mitigating conditions applied.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant admitted to over $78,000 in past-due debts, including student loans and other financial obligations.
- The applicant has a long history of alcohol abuse, with four DUI convictions spanning from 1997 to 2018.
- The applicant failed to demonstrate that his financial difficulties were under control or that mitigating conditions applied.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(b)raisedUnwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedHistory of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 22(a)raisedAlcohol-related Incidents Away From Work
- AG ¶ 20(a)rejectedBehavior Unlikely to RecurThe applicant's financial difficulties are ongoing and not under control.
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedConditions Beyond ControlThe applicant did not demonstrate that his financial issues were largely beyond his control.
- AG ¶ 23(a)rejectedTime Passed Since Last IncidentThe applicant's last DUI conviction was too recent to mitigate concerns.
Key Rule Quoted
“Any doubt concerning personnel being considered for national security eligibility will be resolved in favor of the national security.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedOct 22, 2019
- Answer filedNov 8, 2019Applicant requested a decision on the written record.
- Hearing held—Decision made based on written record.
- Decision dateAug 26, 2021
Cite For
- Denial Based on Significant Financial Obligations Under Guideline F
- Denial Due to a History of Alcohol Abuse Under Guideline G
- Application of the Whole-person Concept in Security Clearance Determinations