Summary
The applicant, a 36-year-old technical trainer and Army National Guard sergeant, faced security concerns under Guideline F due to multiple delinquent debts totaling approximately $43,000. Despite his military service and positive character references, the judge found that the applicant failed to demonstrate responsible efforts to resolve his financial issues, leading to a denial of his security clearance.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: deficiency after automobile repossession charged off for $17,597 in May 2014 (1.a). college tuition placed for collection of $7,686 in December 2012 (1.b). child-support arrearage of $5,803 (1.c). debt for purchase of a vehicle charged off for $3,482 (1.d). telecommunications debt placed for collection of $526 in December 2015 (1.e). medical debts for $319 (1.f). medical debts for $122 (1.g). judgment for $7,041 filed in September 2014 (1.h).
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(a), AG ¶ 20(b), AG ¶ 20(c), AG ¶ 20(d), AG ¶ 20(e). The decision turned on the following: The applicant has numerous and recent delinquent debts that he has not resolved; He did not provide evidence of serious efforts to address his financial obligations, except for debts being collected by garnishment; The applicant's financial counseling did not show clear indications of resolving his financial problems.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant has numerous and recent delinquent debts that he has not resolved.
- He did not provide evidence of serious efforts to address his financial obligations, except for debts being collected by garnishment.
- The applicant's financial counseling did not show clear indications of resolving his financial problems.
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, Infrequent, or Unlikely to RecurThe applicant's delinquent debts are numerous and recent.
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedConditions Beyond the Person's ControlWhile the applicant's divorces were beyond his control, he did not act responsibly to resolve his debts.
- AG ¶ 20(c)rejectedReceived Financial CounselingThe record did not show clear indications that his financial problems are being resolved.
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedGood-faith Effort to Repay DebtsThe applicant provided no evidence of payments or resolution of debts, except for those being garnished.
- AG ¶ 20(e)rejectedReasonable Basis to Dispute DebtsThe applicant did not provide documentary evidence to support his disputes.
Key Rule Quoted
“Eligibility for a security clearance is predicated upon the applicant meeting the criteria contained in the adjudicative guidelines.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedJun 27, 2017
- Answer filedJul 11, 2017
- Hearing heldDec 6, 2017
- Decision dateMar 9, 2018
Cite For
- Denial Based on Unresolved Financial Obligations Under Guideline F
- Importance of Demonstrating Good-faith Efforts to Resolve Debts
- Impact of Personal Circumstances on Financial Responsibility Assessments