Summary
A 36-year-old applicant with an associate's degree was denied a security clearance under Guideline F, Financial Considerations, due to unresolved financial delinquencies totaling approximately $14,146. The Statement of Reasons detailed two collection accounts, both becoming delinquent in September 2010, for approximate amounts of $8,155 and $5,991 respectively. These issues raised disqualifying conditions under Adjudicative Guidelines 19(a) and 19(c).
The applicant attributed the financial difficulties to a failed restaurant business and subsequent underemployment. While mitigating conditions 20(b), 20(c), and 20(d) were considered, they were not sufficient to overcome the security concerns.
The denial was based on the applicant's failure to provide evidence of good-faith efforts to repay or resolve the delinquent debts, which had remained outstanding since 2010. Specifically, no documentation was submitted to support claims of contacting creditors or making payments, leading the judge to conclude that financial responsibility had not been adequately demonstrated.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- Applicant failed to provide evidence of good-faith efforts to repay or resolve delinquent debts.
- The debts remained unresolved since 2010, raising concerns about financial responsibility.
- No documentation was provided to support claims of contacting creditors or making payments.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedConditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person’s ControlApplicant did not act responsibly under the circumstances as there was no evidence of efforts to resolve debts.
- AG ¶ 20(c)rejectedThe Person Has Received or Is Receiving Counseling for the ProblemNo evidence of credit counseling or a budget was presented.
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedThe Individual Initiated a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors or Otherwise Resolve DebtsFiling for bankruptcy alone does not demonstrate good-faith efforts to resolve debts.
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 issuedDec 12, 2015
- Answer filedFeb 26, 2016
- Hearing held—Decided on written record.
- Decision dateFeb 15, 2017
Cite For
- Insufficient Evidence of Good-faith Efforts to Resolve Financial Delinquencies Under Guideline F
- Impact of Unresolved Debts on Security Clearance Eligibility
- Consideration of the Whole-person Concept in Financial Cases