Summary
A 38-year-old U.S. Army veteran was denied a security clearance under Guideline F, Financial Considerations, primarily due to significant delinquent child support obligations. The Statement of Reasons alleged the applicant owed $15,673 in child support arrears.
Disqualifying conditions were raised concerning a history of not meeting financial obligations and an inability or unwillingness to satisfy debts. While mitigating conditions were considered, including the debt not being recent, the circumstances being beyond the applicant's control, and a good-faith effort to resolve the issue, these were ultimately insufficient.
The denial was based on the applicant's long history of unpaid child support, which resulted in substantial arrears. Furthermore, the applicant demonstrated poor financial judgment by purchasing vehicles instead of prioritizing these payments. Despite claiming to have received financial counseling, he failed to provide evidence of a budget or effective financial management.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant has a long history of not paying child support, resulting in significant arrears.
- The applicant demonstrated poor judgment by purchasing vehicles instead of prioritizing child support payments.
- The applicant failed to provide evidence of a budget or financial management despite claiming to have received financial counseling.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedHistory of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 20(a)rejectedBehavior Unlikely to RecurThe applicant's failure to act sooner to rectify the arrears problem diminishes the applicability of this condition.
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedConditions Largely Beyond ControlWhile some circumstances were beyond the applicant's control, he did not act responsibly under the circumstances.
- AG ¶ 20(c)appliedReceived Financial CounselingThe applicant received financial counseling, but it was not sufficient to demonstrate control over his financial issues.
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedGood-faith Effort to Repay DebtsThe applicant's sporadic payment history and lack of documentation for his second daughter's arrears limit the applicability of this condition.
Key Rule Quoted
“Failure to live within one's means, satisfy debts, and meet financial obligations may indicate poor self-control, lack of judgment, or unwillingness to abide by rules and regulations, all of which can raise questions about an individual's reliability, trustworthiness, and ability to protect classified or sensitive information.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedMay 5, 2017
- Answer filedMay 26, 2017
- Hearing heldNov 15, 2018record remained open until 2018-11-30
- Decision dateMay 28, 2019
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Based on Financial Irresponsibility Under Guideline F
- Impact of Poor Financial Decisions on Security Clearance Eligibility
- Consideration of Mitigating Conditions in Financial Cases