Summary
The applicant, a 33-year-old single mother, faced security clearance denial under Guideline F due to unresolved delinquent debts totaling approximately $89,917, primarily from student loans and credit cards. Despite her claims of negotiating settlements, she provided insufficient evidence of repayment or financial management. The administrative judge concluded that the applicant did not mitigate the financial concerns, leading to a denial of her eligibility for access to classified information.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: This cable account was placed for collection in 2021, in the amount of $594 (1.a). Credit-card account charged off in the amount of $712 (1.b). Credit-card account charged off in the amount of $422 (1.c). Credit-card account charged off in the amount of $485 (1.d). Vehicle purchased for $17,211, deficiency balance of $10,397 (1.e). Federal student loan debt of $46,891 (1.f). Federal student loan debt of $29,140 (1.g). Utility account placed for collection in approximately November 2021, amount $736 (1.h). Cable account alleged to be seven years old, amount $540 (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), AG ¶ 20(e). The decision turned on the following: The applicant has numerous unresolved delinquent debts totaling approximately $89,917; She provided insufficient evidence of repayment or financial management; The applicant did not demonstrate a good-faith effort to resolve her debts.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant has numerous unresolved delinquent debts totaling approximately $89,917.
- She provided insufficient evidence of repayment or financial management.
- The applicant did not demonstrate a good-faith effort to resolve her debts.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA 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 financial issues are ongoing and continuing concerns.
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedConditions That Resulted in Financial Problems Were Largely Beyond the Person's ControlThe applicant did not provide evidence that her financial issues were beyond her control.
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedGood-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors or Resolve DebtsThe applicant failed to provide evidence of contacting creditors or making payments.
- AG ¶ 20(e)rejectedReasonable Basis to Dispute the Legitimacy of the Past-due DebtThe applicant did not provide evidence to dispute the debts.
Key Rule Quoted
“The protection of the national security is the paramount consideration.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedSep 6, 2022
- Answer filedSep 30, 2022Requested decision based on the administrative record.
- Hearing held—
- Decision dateFeb 7, 2023
Cite For
- Failure to Mitigate Financial Concerns Under Guideline F
- Insufficient Evidence of Financial Management
- Ongoing Financial Issues Indicating Lack of Reliability and Trustworthiness