Summary
A 44-year-old retired Air Force master sergeant was denied a security clearance under Guideline F, Financial Considerations. The denial stemmed from over $58,000 in delinquent debts across two home mortgages, which had been unresolved since early 2015. Specifically, the applicant was delinquent on a second mortgage for $34,483 and a first mortgage for $24,257.
The judge determined that the applicant's financial irresponsibility, including a history of bankruptcy and vehicle repossession, raised significant concerns regarding his reliability and trustworthiness. Disqualifying conditions under Guideline F were identified, while mitigating conditions were also considered.
Ultimately, the clearance was denied because the applicant remained over $58,000 delinquent on the two home mortgages, which had been past due since early 2015. The judge noted that a strategic default on these mortgages exacerbated the financial problems, indicating a pattern of irresponsibility. The applicant failed to demonstrate responsible action or that his financial issues were under control.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- Applicant is over $58,000 delinquent on two home mortgages, which have been past due since early 2015.
- Applicant's financial problems were exacerbated by a strategic default on his mortgages, indicating a pattern of financial irresponsibility.
- Applicant failed to demonstrate responsible action or that his financial issues are under control.
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)raisedHistory 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 RecurApplicant's financial issues are recent and ongoing.
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedConditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person’s ControlWhile some factors were beyond his control, the applicant did not act responsibly.
- AG ¶ 20(c)rejectedReceived or Is Receiving Financial CounselingApplicant offered no evidence of financial counseling.
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedInitiated and Is Adhering to a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue CreditorsApplicant did not demonstrate a good-faith effort to repay debts.
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 issuedJan 5, 2017
- Answer filedFeb 6, 2017
- Hearing heldSep 14, 2017via video teleconference
- Decision dateFeb 7, 2018
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Significant Financial Delinquency Under Guideline F
- Failure to Demonstrate Responsible Financial Management and Mitigation Efforts
- Impact of Past Financial Irresponsibility on Current Security Eligibility Assessments.