Summary
Darlene D. Lokey Anderson, Administrative Judge, denied the security clearance application of a 42-year-old lead warehouse specialist due to significant financial issues under Guideline F. The applicant's debts exceeded $20,000, and while he had periods of unemployment and health issues, he failed to demonstrate sufficient efforts to resolve his financial obligations, raising concerns about his reliability and judgment.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: From 2008 to 2010, Applicant was overpaid by the Social Security Administration (SSA) in the amount of $11,591 (1.a). Applicant owes a debt to creditor A in the amount of $3,536 for tires and rims he purchased in 2016 (1.b). Applicant owes a debt to creditor B in the amount of $2,593 for tires and rims purchased above (1.c). The SOR alleges that Applicant is indebted to a creditor for cable services in the amount of $362 (1.d). Applicant is indebted to the Federal Government for a tax lien entered against him in November 2008 in the amount of $5,727 (1.e). Applicant owes a debt to a creditor for an account that was charged off in the approximate amount of $1,314 (1.f). Applicant owes a debt to a creditor for a delinquent cable bill (1.g).
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), AG ¶ 20(e), AG ¶ 20(f). The decision turned on the following: Applicant has excessive financial indebtedness exceeding $20,000; Applicant failed to take his indebtedness seriously until required for security clearance; Insufficient evidence of responsible actions to address debts.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- Applicant has excessive financial indebtedness exceeding $20,000.
- Applicant failed to take his indebtedness seriously until required for security clearance.
- Insufficient evidence of responsible actions to address debts.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(b)raisedUnwillingness to Satisfy Debt Regardless of the Ability to Do So
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedConditions Largely Beyond the Person's ControlWhile health issues contributed to financial problems, the applicant did not act responsibly to resolve debts.
- AG ¶ 20(e)rejectedReasonable Basis to Dispute Legitimacy of DebtOnly one debt was disputed, and the applicant's overall financial management was inadequate.
- AG ¶ 20(f)rejectedArrangements with Tax AuthorityInsufficient evidence of compliance with arrangements to resolve tax debts.
Key Rule Quoted
“Any doubt concerning personnel being considered for access to classified information will be resolved in favor of the national security.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedAug 4, 2017
- Answer filedOct 18, 2017
- Hearing heldJan 19, 2018Applicant testified pro se.
- Decision dateApr 30, 2018
Cite For
- Excessive Financial Indebtedness Under Guideline F
- Failure to Demonstrate Responsible Financial Management
- Impact of Financial Issues on Reliability and Trustworthiness