Summary
A 53-year-old licensed attorney was denied a security clearance under Guideline F (Financial Considerations) due to approximately $129,817 in unresolved delinquent debt. The applicant's financial issues raised disqualifying conditions F.19(a), F.19(b), and F.19(c), indicating a history of not meeting financial obligations and an unwillingness or inability to satisfy debts.
Despite being employed since June 2017, the applicant did not provide sufficient evidence of efforts to resolve her debts or credible documentation of her financial situation. While mitigating conditions F.20(b), F.20(c), F.20(d), and F.20(e) were considered, they were not sufficient to overcome the security concerns.
The denial was based on the applicant's failure to demonstrate that her financial problems were unlikely to recur or that she acted responsibly. Her continued financial difficulties, despite consistent employment, led to doubts about her reliability and trustworthiness, resulting in the denial of her security clearance.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant had approximately $129,817 in delinquent debt that she was unable or unwilling to resolve.
- The applicant did not provide sufficient evidence to show that her financial problems were unlikely to recur or that she acted responsibly under the circumstances.
- The applicant's financial difficulties continued despite being fully employed since June 2017.
Conditions Referenced
- F.19(a)raisedInability to Satisfy Debts
- F.19(b)raisedUnwillingness to Satisfy Debts Regardless of the Ability to Do So
- F.19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- F.20(b)rejectedConditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person’s ControlWhile some financial issues were due to circumstances beyond her control, the applicant did not demonstrate responsible actions to resolve her debts.
- F.20(c)rejectedReceived Financial CounselingThe applicant did not initiate efforts to resolve her debts until her security clearance was jeopardized.
- F.20(d)rejectedGood-faith Effort to Repay Overdue CreditorsPaying creditors only after being notified of security clearance issues does not constitute a good-faith effort.
- F.20(e)rejectedReasonable Basis to Dispute the Legitimacy of the Past-due DebtThe applicant did not provide sufficient evidence to substantiate her disputes with creditors.
Key Rule Quoted
“Any doubt concerning personnel being considered for national security eligibility will be resolved in favor of the national security.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedJul 11, 2016
- Answer filedAug 19, 2016
- Hearing held—Decided on written record.
- Decision dateJul 2, 2018
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Unresolved Financial Obligations Under Guideline F
- Insufficient Evidence of Responsible Financial Management Despite Employment
- Impact of Financial Counseling on Security Clearance Eligibility