Summary
A 62-year-old program manager was denied a security clearance under Guideline F (Financial Considerations) due to eight admitted delinquent accounts totaling approximately $247,436. These included a $70,837 loan in collection, a $58,203 charged-off credit card, a $33,761 credit card collection account, and several other charged-off credit and loan accounts ranging from $3,065 to $37,000.
The applicant attributed his financial difficulties to personal circumstances, specifically an extramarital affair and subsequent divorce. However, the judge determined that these issues stemmed from personal choices within his control, including supporting a mistress.
Ultimately, the applicant failed to provide sufficient evidence of good faith efforts to resolve his debts, many of which had remained outstanding for years. The judge concluded that the applicant did not mitigate the security concerns, leading to the denial of his eligibility for a security clearance.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant admitted to eight delinquent accounts totaling approximately $247,436, indicating an inability to satisfy debts.
- The applicant's financial issues were attributed to personal choices, including supporting a mistress, which were within his control.
- The applicant did not provide sufficient evidence of good faith efforts to resolve his debts, as many remained unresolved for years.
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, Unlikely to RecurThe delinquent debts are long-standing and ongoing, casting doubt on the applicant's reliability.
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedConditions Largely Beyond the Person's ControlWhile some conditions were beyond his control, the decision to support a mistress was within his control.
- AG ¶ 20(c)rejectedReceived Financial CounselingThe applicant denied receiving financial counseling.
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedGood-faith Effort to Repay DebtsThe applicant's efforts to resolve debts were insufficient and not timely.
- AG ¶ 20(e)rejectedDispute Legitimacy of DebtsThe applicant did not dispute the legitimacy of any delinquent debts.
Key Rule Quoted
“The applicant is responsible for presenting witnesses and other evidence to rebut, explain, extenuate, or mitigate facts admitted by the applicant or proven by Department Counsel, and has the ultimate burden of persuasion as to obtaining a favorable clearance decision.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedMar 24, 2023
- Answer filedApr 28, 2023
- Hearing heldMay 9, 2024via video teleconference
- Decision dateMay 20, 2025
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Unresolved Financial Issues Under Guideline F
- Insufficient Evidence of Good Faith Efforts to Resolve Debts
- Impact of Personal Choices on Financial Responsibility and Security Clearance Eligibility