Summary
The applicant, a 44-year-old field services technician and Army National Guard officer, faced security concerns under Guideline F (Financial Considerations) due to numerous unresolved delinquent debts totaling approximately $43,000. Despite some progress in addressing other debts, the applicant failed to provide sufficient evidence of resolution for the debts alleged in the Statement of Reasons (SOR), leading to a denial of his security clearance.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: home mortgage loan past due for $38,189 (1.a). credit-card accounts charged off for $2,494 (1.b). credit-card accounts charged off for $2,972 (1.c). utility bill placed for collection of $477 (1.d). medical bill placed for collection of $107 (1.e).
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(a), AG ¶ 20(b), AG ¶ 20(c), AG ¶ 20(d), AG ¶ 20(e). The decision turned on the following: The applicant had numerous unresolved delinquent debts totaling approximately $43,000; He failed to provide documentation showing that the debts alleged in the SOR were resolved or under control; The applicant did not demonstrate a good-faith effort to repay overdue creditors or to resolve the debts.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant had numerous unresolved delinquent debts totaling approximately $43,000.
- He failed to provide documentation showing that the debts alleged in the SOR were resolved or under control.
- The applicant did not demonstrate a good-faith effort to repay overdue creditors or to resolve the debts.
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 or Frivolous or Irresponsible Spending
- AG ¶ 20(a)rejectedBehavior Happened so Long Ago, Was Infrequent, or Occurred Under Circumstances Unlikely to RecurThe applicant's delinquent debts were numerous and unresolved.
- AG ¶ 20(b)notedConditions That Resulted in Financial Problems Were Largely Beyond the Person's Control
- AG ¶ 20(c)rejectedReceived Financial Counseling From a Legitimate SourceThe applicant did not provide documentation of financial counseling.
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedInitiated and Adhered to a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue CreditorsThe applicant did not take significant actions to resolve the debts alleged in the SOR.
- AG ¶ 20(e)rejectedReasonable Basis to Dispute the Legitimacy of the Past-due DebtThe applicant did not provide evidence of a dispute regarding the debts.
Key Rule Quoted
“Eligibility for a security clearance is predicated upon the applicant meeting the criteria contained in the adjudicative guidelines.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedAug 17, 2016
- Answer filedSep 2, 2016
- Hearing held—Decision made on the record without a hearing.
- Decision dateAug 30, 2017
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Unresolved Financial Obligations Under Guideline F
- Importance of Providing Documentation to Support Claims of Debt Resolution
- Evaluation of Financial Responsibility in Security Clearance Determinations.