Summary
The applicant, a 49-year-old male with a history of military service and current employment in the defense industry, faced security concerns under Guideline F due to significant unresolved delinquent debts totaling over $66,000. Despite being gainfully employed and having ample assets, he made little effort to resolve these debts prior to the hearing, leading to the denial of his security clearance application.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: You are indebted to [XXX County, State YYY] for a tax lien in the amount of $703 (1.a). You are indebted to [XXX County, State YYY] for a tax lien in the amount of $840 (1.b). You are indebted to [XXX County, State YYY] for a tax lien in the amount of $733 (1.c). You are indebted to [Creditor Name] in the amount of $11,115 (1.e). You are indebted to [Creditor Name] in the amount of $7,394 (1.f). You are indebted to [Creditor Name] in the amount of $5,428 (1.g). You are indebted to [Creditor Name] in the amount of $5,261 (1.h). You are indebted to [Creditor Name] in the amount of $4,963 (1.i). You are indebted to [Creditor Name] in the amount of $4,914 (1.j). You are indebted to [Creditor Name] in the amount of $3,631 (1.k). You are indebted to [Creditor Name] in the amount of $3,191 (1.l). You are indebted to [Creditor Name] in the amount of $2,633 (1.m). You are indebted to [Creditor Name] in the amount of $2,384 (1.n). You are indebted to [Creditor Name] in the amount of $2,402 (1.o). You are indebted to [Creditor Name] in the amount of $537 (1.p). You are indebted to [Creditor Name] in the amount of $2,000 (1.q). You are indebted to [Creditor Name] in the amount of $5,068 (1.r). You are indebted to [Creditor Name] in the amount of $1,615 (1.s). You are indebted to [Creditor Name] in the amount of $1,515 (1.t). You are indebted to [Creditor Name] in the amount of $250 (1.u).
The judge denied the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 19(a), AG ¶ 19(b), AG ¶ 19(c), AG ¶ 19(e). The judge applied mitigating conditions AG ¶ 20(b), AG ¶ 20(d). The decision turned on the following: The applicant had significant unresolved delinquent debts totaling over $66,000; He made little to no effort to resolve his debts before the hearing despite being gainfully employed; His post-hearing efforts were insufficient to mitigate the security concerns under Guideline F.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant had significant unresolved delinquent debts totaling over $66,000.
- He made little to no effort to resolve his debts before the hearing despite being gainfully employed.
- His post-hearing efforts were insufficient to mitigate the security concerns under Guideline F.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(b)raisedUnwillingness to Satisfy Debts Regardless of the Ability to Do So
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 19(e)raisedConsistent Spending Beyond One’s Means
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedConditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person’s ControlThe applicant did not establish that any of his debts occurred due to circumstances beyond his control.
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedGood-faith Effort to Repay Overdue CreditorsThe applicant did not initiate a good-faith effort to repay his debts until confronted with the hearing.
Key Rule Quoted
“The protection of the national security is the paramount consideration.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedApr 19, 2016
- Answer filedJun 8, 2016
- Hearing heldSep 27, 2017Applicant requested a continuance but was denied.
- Decision dateOct 25, 2017
Cite For
- Significant Unresolved Delinquent Debts Under Guideline F
- Insufficient Post-hearing Efforts to Mitigate Financial Concerns
- Lack of Good-faith Effort to Resolve Debts Prior to Hearing