Summary
The applicant, a 46-year-old male with military service, faced security clearance concerns under Guideline F due to approximately $76,000 in delinquent debts. Despite admitting to 15 of 17 allegations, he failed to provide sufficient documentation to demonstrate debt resolution or financial responsibility. The judge denied the application, citing ongoing financial irresponsibility as a significant concern.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: SOR ¶ 1.a is an auto loan that was charged off for $21,572 (1.a). SOR ¶ 1.b is a student loan placed for collection for $6,695 (1.b). SOR ¶ 1.c is a student loan placed for collection for $6,672 (1.c). SOR ¶ 1.d is a student loan placed for collection for $4,960 (1.d). SOR ¶ 1.e is a student loan placed for collection for $4,599 (1.e). SOR ¶ 1.f is a student loan placed for collection for $3,449 (1.f). SOR ¶ 1.g is a student loan placed for collection for $3,407 (1.g). SOR ¶ 1.h is a loan for furniture that was charged off for $2,975 (1.h). SOR ¶ 1.i is a student loan placed for collection for $2,555 (1.i). SOR ¶ 1.j is a credit card account that has been charged off for $1,111 (1.j). SOR ¶ 1.k is a debt to an apartment lessor placed for collection for $629 (1.k). SOR ¶ 1.l is for past-due child support in the amount of $10,451 (1.l). SOR ¶ 1.m is a student loan placed for collection for $1,841 (1.m). SOR ¶ 1.n is a student loan placed for collection for $1,784 (1.n). SOR ¶ 1.o is a debt to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) placed for collection for $1,373 (1.o). SOR ¶ 1.p is a debt to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) placed for collection for $696 (1.p). SOR ¶ 1.q is a credit card account that has been charged off for $1,649 (1.q).
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(c), AG ¶ 20(d). The decision turned on the following: The applicant did not provide sufficient documentation to mitigate financial concerns arising from delinquent debts; The applicant admitted to 15 of 17 allegations of delinquent debts totaling approximately $76,000; The applicant's claims of debt resolution were unsupported by adequate documentation.
Why the applicant was denied
- The applicant did not provide sufficient documentation to mitigate financial concerns arising from delinquent debts.
- The applicant admitted to 15 of 17 allegations of delinquent debts totaling approximately $76,000.
- The applicant's claims of debt resolution were unsupported by adequate documentation.
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 so Infrequent, or Occurred Under Such Circumstances That It Is Unlikely to RecurThe applicant's failure to pay delinquent and charged-off debt is both long-term and ongoing.
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedConditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person’s ControlThe applicant did not provide sufficient evidence showing that his debts occurred largely due to circumstances beyond his control.
- AG ¶ 20(c)rejectedReceived Financial Counseling From a Legitimate SourceThe applicant did not provide sufficient evidence to find that he received financial counseling from a legitimate source.
- AG ¶ 20(d)appliedInitiated and Is Adhering to a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue CreditorsThis condition applies only to the child support debt, which is being paid.
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 issuedJun 20, 2022
- Answer filed—
- Hearing heldJul 12, 2022Hearing convened as scheduled.
- Decision dateNov 8, 2023
Cite for
- Insufficient Mitigation of Financial Concerns Under Guideline F
- Importance of Documentation in Resolving Debts
- Impact of Financial Irresponsibility on Security Clearance Eligibility