Summary
The applicant, a 31-year-old defense contractor with three minor children, faced security clearance denial under Guideline F due to significant financial issues, including over $25,000 in delinquent debts. The judge found that the applicant failed to demonstrate responsible financial management or efforts to resolve his debts, leading to concerns about his reliability and trustworthiness.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: A delinquent rental account was placed was placed for collection in the approximate amount of $3,967. The account remains outstanding (1.a). A delinquent military housing account was placed for collection in the approximate amount of $1,856. The account remains outstanding (1.b). A delinquent medical account for an account placed for collection in the approximate amount of $1,660. The account remains outstanding (1.c). A delinquent cable account for an account in the approximate amount of $209. The account remains owing (1.d). A delinquent medical account was placed for collection in the approximate amount of $200. The account remains owing (1.e). A delinquent medical account was placed was placed for collection in the approximate amount of $149. The account remains outstanding (1.f). A judgment was filed against the Applicant in 2015 in the approximate amount of $970. The judgment remains outstanding (1.g). A judgment was filed against the Applicant in 2012 in the approximate amount of $865. The judgment remains outstanding (1.h). A judgment was filed against the Applicant in 2016 in the approximate amount of $1,428. The judgment remains owing (1.i). A delinquent medical account was placed for collection in the approximate amount of $1,428. The account remains owing (1.j). A delinquent account was charged off in the approximate amount of $420. The account remains outstanding (1.k). A delinquent account was placed for collection in the approximate amount of $817. The account remains outstanding (1.l). A delinquent medical account for an account placed for collection in the approximate amount of $179. The account remains outstanding (1.m). A delinquent medical account was placed for collection in the approximate amount of $164. The account remains owing (1.n). A delinquent account was placed for collection in the approximate amount of $52. The account remains owing (1.o). Applicant’s wages were garnished by the Department of Education in about March 2016 in the approximate amount of $10,505. This garnishment order has not been completed (1.p).
The judge denied the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 19(a), AG ¶ 19(b), AG ¶ 19(c). The judge applied mitigating conditions AG ¶ 20(b). The decision turned on the following: Applicant has over $25,000 in delinquent debts, which he admitted to without providing explanations or evidence of resolution; There is no indication that the applicant has made efforts to address his financial obligations or demonstrated responsible spending habits.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- Applicant has over $25,000 in delinquent debts, which he admitted to without providing explanations or evidence of resolution.
- There is no indication that the applicant has made efforts to address his financial obligations or demonstrated responsible spending habits.
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)raisedHistory of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedConditions Beyond the Person's ControlApplicant failed to explain the circumstances leading to his financial issues or demonstrate responsible actions taken.
Key Rule Quoted
“Failure to live within one's means, satisfy debts, and meet financial obligations may indicate poor self-control, lack of judgment, or unwillingness to abide by rules and regulations, all of which can raise questions about an individual's reliability, trustworthiness, and ability to protect classified or sensitive information.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedMay 26, 2017
- Answer filedJun 14, 2017Applicant requested a decision on the written record.
- Hearing held—No hearing; decision made on the written record.
- Decision dateFeb 20, 2018
Cite For
- Financial Irresponsibility Under Guideline F
- Failure to Mitigate Significant Debt Issues
- Lack of Evidence Demonstrating Responsible Financial Management