Summary
The applicant, a 57-year-old former Navy service member, faced security clearance denial under Guideline F due to significant financial delinquencies totaling approximately $30,000. Despite being employed since September 2015, the applicant failed to provide sufficient documentation to demonstrate responsible management of his debts or a credible plan for repayment, leading to concerns about his reliability and trustworthiness.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: a credit card account placed for collection for $2,802 (1.a). a utility debt for $519 (1.b). a telephone bill in collection for $292 (1.c). medical debts for $138 (1.d). medical debts for $90 (1.e). medical debts for $55 (1.f). medical debts for $484 (1.g). judgments on credit cards debts in collection for $7,911 (1.h). judgments on credit cards debts in collection for $8,752 (1.i). judgments on credit cards debts in collection for $8,252 (1.j).
The judge denied the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 19(a), AG ¶ 19(c). The judge applied mitigating conditions AG ¶ 20(a), AG ¶ 20(b), AG ¶ 20(c), AG ¶ 20(d). The decision turned on the following: The applicant did not provide sufficient documentation to mitigate financial considerations security concerns under Guideline F; The applicant's financial situation included numerous delinquent debts and a lack of evidence showing a systematic approach to resolving them; The applicant failed to demonstrate a meaningful track record of debt payment or responsible financial management.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant did not provide sufficient documentation to mitigate financial considerations security concerns under Guideline F.
- The applicant's financial situation included numerous delinquent debts and a lack of evidence showing a systematic approach to resolving them.
- The applicant failed to demonstrate a meaningful track record of debt payment or responsible financial management.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedHistory of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 20(a)rejectedBehavior Happened so Long Ago, Was Infrequent, or Occurred Under Circumstances Unlikely to RecurThe applicant's financial issues were ongoing and not resolved.
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedConditions That Resulted in Financial Problems Were Largely Beyond the Person's ControlThe applicant did not establish how his unemployment directly resulted in his delinquent debts.
- AG ¶ 20(c)rejectedReceived or Is Receiving Financial CounselingThe applicant did not present evidence of receiving financial counseling.
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedInitiated and Is Adhering to a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue CreditorsThe applicant did not provide evidence of a reasonable plan or track record of debt repayment.
Key Rule Quoted
“A person who seeks access to classified information enters into a fiduciary relationship with the Government predicated upon trust and confidence.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedMar 14, 2017
- Answer filedApr 5, 2017Applicant requested a decision based on the written record.
- Hearing held—No hearing; decision based on written record.
- Decision dateOct 23, 2017
Cite For
- Insufficient Documentation to Mitigate Financial Concerns Under Guideline F
- Ongoing Financial Delinquencies as a Basis for Security Clearance Denial
- Lack of Evidence Demonstrating Responsible Financial Management