Summary
A 45-year-old retired Army sergeant and defense contractor was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline F (Financial Considerations). The Statement of Reasons (SOR) alleged six delinquent debts totaling over $40,000, ranging from $1,333 to $11,464, which had been placed for collection.
Regarding personal conduct, the applicant did not intentionally omit negative financial information from his Questionnaire for National Security Positions (SF 86) or security clearance application (SCA) with intent to deceive. He completed the SCA overseas in six hours, telephoning relatives for biographical details, and made mistakes on financial questions due to haste. Mitigating conditions for personal conduct were applied, acknowledging these circumstances.
However, the applicant failed to provide sufficient evidence of his inability to make payments or demonstrate a good-faith effort to resolve his delinquent debts. He also did not provide proof of financial counseling or payments towards these obligations. Consequently, despite mitigating factors related to personal conduct, the applicant was denied eligibility for access to classified information due to unresolved financial issues.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant did not provide sufficient evidence of his inability to make payments to creditors.
- The applicant failed to demonstrate a good-faith effort to resolve his delinquent debts.
- The applicant did not provide proof of financial counseling or payments towards his debts.
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)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 20(b)appliedConditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person’s Control
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedThe Individual Initiated and Is Adhering to a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors or Otherwise Resolve DebtsThe applicant did not provide sufficient evidence of payments or agreements with creditors.
Key Rule Quoted
“Eligibility for a security clearance is predicated upon the applicant meeting the criteria contained in the adjudicative guidelines.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedMar 10, 2017
- Answer filedApr 18, 2017Initially waived right to a hearing.
- Hearing heldFeb 14, 2018
- Decision dateMay 9, 2018
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Unresolved Financial Obligations
- Mitigating Conditions Related to Personal Conduct
- Impact of Financial Instability on Security Clearance Eligibility