Summary
A 27-year-old male applicant with a high school diploma and trade school experience was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline F (Financial Considerations). The applicant had a history of criminal offenses, including DUI and assault, and multiple delinquent debts totaling approximately $41,314.
The financial concerns included a private loan of $18,273, four federal loans totaling $18,841, a credit card account in collection for $416, and a $1,957 delinquent debt for housing and meal expenses. Additionally, a cell phone account in collection for $1,004 and a utility account in collection for $823 were noted, along with the misuse of a company credit card for personal purchases.
While the administrative judge found that the applicant's personal conduct issues were mitigated, his financial issues remained unresolved. The applicant failed to provide sufficient evidence of responsible actions to address his financial problems, which included a failure to file tax returns timely. Consequently, the security clearance application was denied.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant has multiple delinquent debts totaling approximately $41,314, primarily from student loans.
- The applicant failed to provide sufficient evidence of responsible actions to resolve his financial issues.
- The applicant's financial problems remain unresolved, including failure to file tax returns timely.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)appliedInability to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)appliedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 16(c)appliedCredible Adverse Information in Several Adjudicative Issue Areas
- AG ¶ 20(a)rejectedBehavior Happened so Long Ago, Was Infrequent, or Unlikely to RecurThe applicant's delinquent debts remain unresolved.
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedConditions Beyond the Person's ControlWhile some unemployment was beyond the applicant's control, he did not act responsibly to resolve debts.
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedGood-faith Effort to Repay Overdue CreditorsThe applicant's payments were insufficient to establish mitigation given the extent of his delinquencies.
Key Rule Quoted
“An applicant has the ultimate burden of demonstrating that it is clearly consistent with the national interest to grant or continue his security clearance.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedFeb 6, 2017
- Answer filedFeb 20, 2017
- Hearing heldFeb 14, 2018
- Decision dateMar 28, 2018
Cite For
- Denial Based on Unresolved Financial Obligations Under Guideline F
- Impact of Personal Conduct on Security Clearance Eligibility
- Burden of Proof on Applicant to Demonstrate Mitigation of Financial Issues