Summary
A 28-year-old defense contractor and former Army sergeant was denied a security clearance due to financial considerations under Guideline F. The applicant faced allegations of numerous delinquent debts, including two unpaid judgments, totaling $3,774. Specific allegations included debts ranging from $193 for medical services to $4,296 for an unspecified obligation, along with an $823 delinquent cellular telephone service debt.
While the applicant attributed her financial difficulties to periods of unemployment and low-paying jobs, the judge found that most of the alleged debts remained unresolved. The decision highlighted that the financial issues were recent and ongoing, raising concerns about the applicant's reliability and trustworthiness.
Ultimately, the denial was based on the applicant's failure to resolve most of the outstanding debts, the recent and ongoing nature of her financial problems, and the absence of a clear plan or evidence of payments made to address these delinquencies. Disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 19(a) and AG ¶ 19(c) were raised, while mitigating conditions AG ¶ 20(b), AG ¶ 20(c), and AG ¶ 20(e) were applied but did not overcome the security concerns.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant has not resolved most of the debts alleged in the SOR.
- Her financial issues are recent and ongoing, raising concerns about her reliability and trustworthiness.
- The applicant did not present a plan to address her delinquent debts or evidence of payments made.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 20(b)appliedConditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person’s ControlApplicant attributed her financial problems to periods of unemployment and low-paying jobs.
- AG ¶ 20(c)appliedThe Person Has Received or Is Receiving Counseling for the ProblemApplicant may have received some financial counseling from a law firm.
- AG ¶ 20(e)appliedThe Individual Has a Reasonable Basis to Dispute the Legitimacy of the Past-due DebtAG ¶ 20(e) is applicable to some debts disputed by the applicant.
Key Rule Quoted
“Any doubt concerning personnel being considered for access to classified information will be resolved in favor of national security.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedOct 30, 2009
- Answer filedNov 10, 2009Applicant elected to have the case decided on the written record.
- Hearing held—No hearing; decided on the written record.
- Decision dateFeb 18, 2010
Cite For
- Insufficient Evidence of Financial Responsibility Under Guideline F
- Impact of Unresolved Debts on Security Clearance Eligibility
- Consideration of the Whole-person Concept in Financial Cases