Summary
A 35-year-old divorced veteran with two children was denied a security clearance under Guideline F (Financial Considerations) due to significant delinquent debts totaling $83,484. The Statement of Reasons detailed nine specific allegations, including multiple child support arrears amounting to $20,173, $750, and $8,589, the latter of which was claimed to be invalid. Other debts included $14,924.60 with a settlement offer, and $1,162 with payment arrangements. Two smaller debts of $78.86 each were paid in full, and two other debts were resolved with a zero balance, one of which the applicant was unaware of.
Disqualifying conditions related to financial issues were raised, while mitigating conditions concerning the circumstances of the debt and efforts to resolve it were considered. However, the applicant failed to provide sufficient documentation to support his claims of payment history and financial arrangements.
Ultimately, the applicant's financial issues were not deemed fully mitigated by circumstances beyond his control, as he had employment after military service but did not consistently maintain child support payments. His efforts to resolve the debts were considered insufficient to alleviate the security concerns, leading to the denial of his security clearance.
Why the applicant was denied
- The applicant did not provide sufficient documentation to support his claims of payment history and financial arrangements.
- The applicant's financial issues were not fully mitigated by circumstances beyond his control, as he had employment after leaving the military but failed to maintain child support payments.
- The applicant's efforts to resolve his debts were deemed insufficient to alleviate the security concerns raised.
Conditions referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 20(c)appliedReceiving Financial CounselingThe applicant is working with a financial counselor.
- AG ¶ 20(d)appliedGood-faith Effort to Repay DebtsThe applicant is adhering to efforts to address child support and other accounts.
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 2, 2018
- Answer filed—Applicant requested a review based on the written record.
- Hearing held—No hearing was conducted.
- Decision dateSep 28, 2018
Cite for
- Insufficient Evidence to Mitigate Financial Concerns Under Guideline F
- Impact of Child Support Arrears on Security Clearance Eligibility
- Importance of Documentation in Financial Mitigation Efforts