Summary
A 63-year-old database manager was denied eligibility for access to classified information due to financial considerations under Guideline F. The applicant had approximately $61,380 in delinquent debts, primarily stemming from legal expenses related to family matters and medical bills.
The Statement of Reasons detailed eight specific charged-off accounts: credit card accounts totaling $14,516, $13,597, $956, $4,046, and $771; an unsecured loan for $8,185; a department store charge account for $3,373; and a time-share account for $15,936. Disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 19(a) and AG ¶ 19(c) were raised, while mitigating conditions AG ¶ 20(a), AG ¶ 20(b), AG ¶ 20(c), AG ¶ 20(d), and AG ¶ 20(e) were considered.
The denial was based on the applicant's admission to all alleged delinquent debts and a failure to provide documentation substantiating claims of legal expenses or medical bills. The administrative judge concluded that the applicant's recent and numerous financial issues demonstrated a lack of control over his financial situation, leading to the denial.
Why the applicant was denied
- The applicant admitted to all delinquent debts alleged in the SOR.
- The applicant provided no documentation to substantiate claims of legal expenses or medical bills.
- The applicant's financial issues were recent and numerous, indicating a lack of control over his financial situation.
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 debts were numerous and recent.
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedConditions That Resulted in Financial Problems Were Largely Beyond the Person's ControlThe applicant provided no documentary evidence of the circumstances he claimed were beyond his control.
- AG ¶ 20(c)rejectedReceived Financial Counseling From a Legitimate SourceThe applicant's debt-resolution companies did not qualify as legitimate credit counseling.
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedInitiated and Adhered to a Good-faith Effort to Repay DebtsThe applicant did not provide evidence of payments on the debts alleged in the SOR.
- AG ¶ 20(e)rejectedReasonable Basis to Dispute the Legitimacy of Past-due DebtThe applicant did not dispute any of the debts except for the time-share debt.
Key rule quoted
“Eligibility for a security clearance is predicated upon the applicant meeting the criteria contained in the adjudicative guidelines.”
Procedural posture
- SOR issuedApr 15, 2019
- Answer filedMay 3, 2019
- Hearing heldSep 25, 2019Applicant requested a continuance but was denied.
- Decision dateNov 26, 2019
Cite for
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Financial Irresponsibility Under Guideline F
- Failure to Provide Documentation Supporting Claims of Financial Hardship
- Insufficient Evidence to Mitigate Delinquent Debts in Security Clearance Cases