Summary
A 55-year-old high school graduate, employed by a DOD contractor, was denied a security clearance under Guideline F (Financial Considerations) due to approximately $85,000 in delinquent debts. The Statement of Reasons detailed thirteen specific financial allegations, including a $6,154 charged-off account, a $1,653 federal tax lien, a $2,200 judgment, and various collection accounts for telephone and credit card debts. Two larger debts were also cited for $30,375 and $40,352, among others.
The judge identified disqualifying conditions under Adjudicative Guidelines (AG) ¶ 19(a) and AG ¶ 19(c), which address financial problems that are numerous, recent, or not incurred under circumstances making recurrence unlikely. While mitigating conditions AG ¶ 20(a) and AG ¶ 20(c) were considered, they were not sufficient to overcome the security concerns.
The denial was based on the applicant's failure to provide adequate documentation to mitigate the financial concerns. The judge concluded that the applicant's financial problems were numerous, recent, and likely to recur, and that she had not demonstrated a good-faith effort to resolve her financial obligations. This led to concerns about her reliability and trustworthiness.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant did not provide sufficient documentation to mitigate security concerns for financial considerations under Guideline F.
- The applicant's financial problems were numerous, recent, and not incurred under circumstances making recurrence unlikely.
- The applicant failed to establish a good-faith effort to pay her financial obligations.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 20(a)appliedThe Behavior Happened so Long Ago, Was so Infrequent, or Occurred Under Such Circumstances That It Is Unlikely to Recur
- AG ¶ 20(c)appliedThe Person Has Received or Is Receiving Counseling for the Problem And/or There Are Clear Indications That the Problem Is Being Resolved or Is Under Control
Key Rule Quoted
“A person who seeks access to classified information enters into a fiduciary relationship with the Government predicated upon trust and confidence.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedSep 24, 2015
- Answer filedNov 13, 2015
- Hearing held—Applicant elected to have the matter decided on the written record.
- Decision dateSep 23, 2016
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Unresolved Financial Issues Under Guideline F
- Importance of Demonstrating Good-faith Efforts to Resolve Debts
- Consideration of the Whole-person Concept in Security Clearance Evaluations