Summary
A 49-year-old marine inspector, employed by a defense contractor, was denied a security clearance primarily due to unresolved financial issues, despite some mitigating factors related to personal conduct. The applicant admitted to five delinquent debts totaling $21,760, which he attributed to a difficult divorce and periods of unemployment.
The Statement of Reasons included allegations that the applicant failed to list any of his delinquent debts on his August 21, 2015 SF-86. Specific financial concerns included three unaddressed delinquent debts each totaling $20,996. Two other debts, a charged-off department store account for $347 and a cell phone collection account for $417, were resolved.
The denial was based on Guideline F (Financial Considerations) and Guideline E (Personal Conduct). The applicant failed to provide sufficient evidence of efforts to resolve the outstanding debts, did not present evidence of financial counseling, or a plan to address his financial obligations. These unmitigated financial issues raised doubts about his reliability and trustworthiness, leading to the denial of his security clearance.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant failed to mitigate security concerns regarding financial considerations under Guideline F.
- The applicant did not provide evidence of financial counseling or a plan to address his delinquent debts.
- The applicant's financial issues raised doubts about his reliability and trustworthiness.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(b)raisedUnwillingness to Satisfy Debts Regardless of the Ability to Do So
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedThe Individual Initiated and Is Adhering to a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors or Otherwise Resolve DebtsThe applicant did not provide sufficient evidence of efforts to resolve debts.
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedThe Conditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person's ControlWhile the applicant cited personal circumstances, he did not demonstrate responsible actions to address the debts.
Key Rule Quoted
“"Any doubt concerning personnel being considered for access to classified information will be resolved in favor of the national security."”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedNov 18, 2016
- Answer filedJan 11, 2017Applicant elected to have the case decided on the written record.
- Hearing held—No hearing; decision based on written record.
- Decision dateOct 1, 2017
Cite For
- Failure to Mitigate Financial Considerations Under Guideline F
- Rebuttable Presumption Against Granting Security Clearance Due to Financial Issues
- Carelessness in Completing SF-86 Does Not Equate to Intent to Deceive Under Guideline E.