Summary
A 30-year-old engineering assistant was denied a security clearance under Guideline F (Financial Considerations) due to 19 delinquent debts totaling approximately $15,000. The applicant acknowledged these financial issues, which raised disqualifying conditions related to her financial irresponsibility and inability or unwillingness to satisfy her debts.
While the applicant initiated a debt-management program, her efforts to resolve the outstanding obligations were deemed insufficient. She also failed to provide evidence of her current financial status or her ability to meet her financial responsibilities.
Despite the application of several mitigating conditions, including her acknowledgment of the problem and efforts to address it, the Adjudicator concluded that the applicant had not demonstrated sufficient progress. This lack of resolution and transparency regarding her financial situation ultimately led to the denial of her security clearance.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant has 19 delinquent debts totaling about $15,000, which she admitted to.
- She did not provide evidence of her current financial status or ability to meet her financial obligations.
- The applicant's efforts to resolve her debts were deemed insufficient, raising questions about her judgment and reliability.
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(a)rejectedBehavior Happened so Long Ago, Was Infrequent, or Occurred Under Circumstances Unlikely to RecurThe applicant's debts remain current and unresolved.
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedConditions That Resulted in Financial Problems Were Largely Beyond the Person's ControlWhile circumstances contributed to the debts, the applicant did not show responsible action to resolve them.
- AG ¶ 20(c)rejectedReceived Financial Counseling From a Legitimate SourceNo evidence of financial counseling was presented.
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedInitiated and Is Adhering to a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue CreditorsThe applicant's debt management plan was initiated too late and lacked evidence of progress.
- AG ¶ 20(e)notedReasonable Basis to Dispute the Legitimacy of Past-due Debt
Key Rule Quoted
“"[N]o one has a ‘right’ to a security clearance."”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedMay 26, 2017
- Answer filedAug 1, 2017Applicant elected to have the case decided on the written record.
- Hearing held—No hearing; decided on written record.
- Decision dateFeb 28, 2018
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Unresolved Financial Delinquencies
- Insufficient Evidence of Financial Responsibility Under Guideline F
- Impact of Financial Issues on Security Clearance Eligibility