Summary
A 54-year-old former Army sergeant was denied a security clearance due to unresolved financial issues under Guideline F (Financial Considerations) and personal conduct concerns under Guideline E (Personal Conduct). The applicant had numerous delinquent debts totaling approximately $71,031, including charged-off credit cards, collection accounts for cable, cellular phone, and medical services, and an installment account that was 180 days past due. Specific examples included a $6,614 charged-off account from 2017, a $3,092 charged-off account with the last payment in 2016, and a $6,615 credit card account placed for collection in 2015.
Additionally, the applicant admitted to falsifying her 2018 security clearance application by failing to disclose these debts. However, the judge found no disqualifying conditions under Guideline E, despite the admission of falsification.
The denial was primarily based on the applicant's ongoing financial concerns and her failure to provide evidence of a good-faith effort to repay or resolve her delinquent debts. The unresolved financial issues were deemed to raise doubts about her reliability and trustworthiness, leading to the unfavorable decision.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant has numerous unresolved delinquent debts totaling over $71,000.
- The applicant failed to provide evidence of a good-faith effort to repay or resolve her delinquent debts.
- The applicant's financial issues were deemed an ongoing concern, casting doubt on her reliability and trustworthiness.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 20(a)rejectedBehavior Happened Long Ago or InfrequentlyThe applicant's financial issues are ongoing.
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedConditions Beyond the Person's ControlThe applicant did not demonstrate that her financial issues were beyond her control.
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedGood-faith Effort to Repay DebtsThe applicant failed to provide evidence of efforts to resolve her debts.
- AG ¶ 20(e)rejectedReasonable Basis to Dispute DebtsThe applicant did not provide documentation to dispute the legitimacy of her debts.
Key Rule Quoted
“The protection of the national security is the paramount consideration.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedAug 31, 2021
- Answer filedFeb 1, 2022Undated response submitted.
- Hearing held—
- Decision dateFeb 7, 2023
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Unresolved Financial Issues Under Guideline F
- Failure to Mitigate Financial Concerns Despite Personal Circumstances
- No Disqualifying Conditions Found Under Guideline E Despite Falsification of Application.