Summary
A 48-year-old married woman with four adult children was denied a security clearance under Guideline F (Financial Considerations) due to twelve delinquent debts totaling approximately $25,869. The applicant attributed these financial issues to employment instability caused by her husband's military transfers.
The Statement of Reasons detailed several outstanding debts, including five delinquent credit card accounts ranging from $1,037 to $3,984, and two outstanding judgments from 2012 and 2013 for $3,526 and $3,628, respectively. Additionally, three delinquent bank accounts had been charged off. While one debt of $1,695 was paid in full in August 2014, and three other debts were being paid through arrangements (with current balances of $2,025, $478.82, and approximately $1,596), the judge found that the applicant failed to demonstrate sufficient financial responsibility.
The denial was based on the applicant's history of excessive indebtedness and her failure to provide evidence of good faith efforts to resolve her delinquent debts. The judge concluded that her financial irresponsibility indicated poor judgment and unreliability, leading to the denial of her security clearance.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant has a history of excessive indebtedness totaling approximately $25,869.
- She failed to provide evidence of efforts to resolve her delinquent debts or demonstrate financial responsibility.
- The applicant's financial irresponsibility indicates poor judgment and unreliability.
Conditions Referenced
- 19.(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- 19.(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- 20.(b)appliedConditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person’s ControlThe applicant claimed her financial issues were due to her husband's military transfers.
Key Rule Quoted
“Failure or inability 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 information.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedNov 18, 2015
- Answer filedUncertainApplicant elected to have the case determined on a written record.
- Hearing heldN/ANo hearing; case determined on written record.
- Decision dateOct 18, 2016
Cite For
- Financial Irresponsibility as a Basis for Security Clearance Denial
- The Importance of Demonstrating Financial Responsibility in Security Clearance Cases
- The Impact of Personal Circumstances on Financial Obligations Under Guideline F.