Summary
A 40-year-old divorced mother of three, employed since 2002, was denied a security clearance primarily due to unresolved financial issues under Guideline F (Financial Considerations). The applicant had over $18,000 in delinquent debts and failed to provide sufficient evidence to mitigate these concerns. While her personal conduct under Guideline E was not disqualifying, her financial situation raised significant doubts about her reliability and trustworthiness.
The Statement of Reasons included allegations that the applicant did not report delinquent debts on her security clearance application, though she did pay a $55 traffic ticket. Disqualifying conditions were raised under Adjudicative Guidelines (AG) ¶ 19(a), (b), and (c), while mitigating conditions AG ¶ 20(b), (c), and (e) were applied.
The denial was based on the applicant's failure to provide sufficient evidence to mitigate security concerns related to her finances. She did not pay or settle any of the listed delinquent debts totaling over $18,000. Additionally, her financial problems were compounded by her failure to file federal and state tax returns due in April 2017.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant did not provide sufficient evidence to mitigate security concerns related to her financial situation.
- She failed to pay or settle any of the delinquent debts listed in the SOR, which totaled over $18,000.
- The applicant's financial problems were exacerbated by her failure to file federal and state tax returns due in April 2017.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)appliedInability to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(b)appliedUnwillingness to Satisfy Debts Regardless of the Ability to Do So
- AG ¶ 19(c)appliedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedConditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person's ControlWhile some financial issues were beyond her control, the applicant did not provide sufficient evidence to mitigate the concerns.
- AG ¶ 20(c)raisedReceived or Is Receiving Financial CounselingThe applicant obtained financial counseling after the hearing, but it was insufficient to demonstrate that her financial situation was under control.
- AG ¶ 20(e)rejectedReasonable Basis to Dispute the Legitimacy of the Past-due DebtThe applicant's disputes regarding the debts were not substantiated with adequate evidence.
Key Rule Quoted
“[N]o one has a ‘right’ to a security clearance.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedSep 23, 2016
- Answer filed—
- Hearing heldSep 28, 2017
- Decision dateFeb 9, 2018
Cite For
- Insufficient Evidence to Mitigate Financial Concerns Under Guideline F
- Impact of Unresolved Debts on Security Clearance Eligibility
- Consideration of Personal Conduct Under Guideline E in the Context of Financial Issues