Summary
The applicant, a 44-year-old administrative assistant and former U.S. Navy petty officer, faced security clearance denial under Guidelines E (Personal Conduct) and F (Financial Considerations) due to numerous delinquent debts and misuse of a government credit card. The judge found that the applicant failed to provide sufficient evidence to mitigate the financial issues and did not adequately address the personal conduct concerns, leading to a denial of her security clearance.
Under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: The misuse of a government credit card is alleged as a financial issue in SOR ¶ 1.a and cross-alleged as personal conduct in SOR ¶ 2.a (2.a). misuse of a government credit card for a personal vehicle rental (1.a). judgment for unpaid rent filed in May 2013 (1.b). delinquent automobile loan charged off for $19,837 (1.c). personal loan charged off for $3,790 (1.d). student loans referred for collection of $3,497 (1.e). student loans referred for collection of $3,432 (1.f). student loans referred for collection of $3,319 (1.g). student loans referred for collection of $1,245 (1.h). student loans referred for collection of $587 (1.i). delinquent medical bills for $1,335 (1.j). delinquent medical bills for $228 (1.k). delinquent medical bills for $25 (1.l). delinquent medical bills for $979 (1.m). cellphone debt placed for collection of $223 (1.n).
The judge denied the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 19(a), AG ¶ 19(c), AG ¶ 19(d), AG ¶ 16(d). The judge applied mitigating conditions AG ¶ 20(a), AG ¶ 20(b), AG ¶ 20(c), AG ¶ 20(d), AG ¶ 20(e). The decision turned on the following: The applicant had numerous delinquent debts totaling approximately $40,651, indicating an inability to manage financial obligations; The applicant misused a government credit card, which raised questions about her judgment and trustworthiness; The applicant did not provide sufficient evidence of efforts to resolve her debts or to explain her financial conduct.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant had numerous delinquent debts totaling approximately $40,651, indicating an inability to manage financial obligations.
- The applicant misused a government credit card, which raised questions about her judgment and trustworthiness.
- The applicant did not provide sufficient evidence of efforts to resolve her debts or to explain her financial conduct.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)appliedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)appliedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 19(d)appliedDeceptive or Illegal Financial Practices
- AG ¶ 16(d)appliedCredible Adverse Information
- AG ¶ 20(a)rejectedBehavior Happened so Long Ago or Infrequently
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedConditions Beyond the Person's Control
- AG ¶ 20(c)rejectedReceived Counseling for the Problem
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedGood-faith Effort to Repay Creditors
- AG ¶ 20(e)appliedReasonable Basis to Dispute Legitimacy of DebtEstablished for the judgment in SOR ¶ 1.b and some student loans.
Key Rule Quoted
“Eligibility for a security clearance is predicated upon the applicant meeting the criteria contained in the adjudicative guidelines.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedNov 6, 2015
- Answer filedDec 26, 2015
- Hearing held—Decision made on the record without a hearing.
- Decision dateMar 13, 2017
Cite For
- Denial Based on Financial Irresponsibility Under Guideline F
- Misuse of Government Credit Card as a Disqualifying Factor Under Guideline E
- Failure to Provide Evidence of Debt Resolution Efforts as a Basis for Denial.