Summary
The applicant, a 36-year-old test technical surveillance instructor and medically retired Marine Corps veteran, faced security concerns under Guideline F due to unresolved financial issues totaling $32,137. Despite his claims of financial difficulties stemming from his divorce and unemployment, he failed to provide sufficient documentation to mitigate the concerns. The judge denied the security clearance, citing insufficient evidence of financial stability and resolution of debts.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: $1,746 past-due mortgage (1.a). $11,360 repossessed automobile loan (1.b). $12,674 repossessed automobile loan (1.c). $1,922 delinquent medical account (1.d). $1,338 charged-off residual balance owed on a car totaled in an accident (1.e). remaining eight delinquent accounts under $1,000 (1.f).
The judge denied the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions 19(a), 19(c). The judge applied mitigating conditions 20(b), 20(c), 20(d), 20(e). The decision turned on the following: Applicant failed to provide documentation to support claims of debt resolution; Financial problems were not sufficiently mitigated despite claims of circumstances beyond his control; Doubts about the applicant's financial reliability and trustworthiness remained unaddressed.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- Applicant failed to provide documentation to support claims of debt resolution.
- Financial problems were not sufficiently mitigated despite claims of circumstances beyond his control.
- Doubts about the applicant's financial reliability and trustworthiness remained unaddressed.
Conditions Referenced
- 19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- 20(b)rejectedConditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person’s ControlApplicant did not provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate responsible actions taken under the circumstances.
- 20(c)rejectedThe Person Has Received or Is Receiving Counseling for the ProblemApplicant's online credit counseling course did not demonstrate effective resolution of debts.
- 20(d)rejectedThe Individual Initiated a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue CreditorsApplicant did not provide evidence of good-faith efforts to resolve debts.
- 20(e)rejectedThe Individual Has a Reasonable Basis to Dispute the Legitimacy of the Past-due DebtApplicant failed to provide documented proof to substantiate any disputes regarding 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 issuedDec 22, 2017
- Answer filedJan 25, 2018
- Hearing heldMay 11, 2018
- Decision dateAug 7, 2018
Cite For
- Insufficient Documentation to Mitigate Financial Concerns Under Guideline F
- Impact of Unresolved Debts on Security Clearance Eligibility
- Burden of Proof on Applicant to Demonstrate Financial Responsibility