Summary
The applicant, a 26-year-old assembly mechanic, faced security clearance denial under Guideline F due to 13 delinquent debts totaling $37,602. Despite mitigating four debts, the applicant failed to demonstrate sufficient progress in resolving the remaining debts, leading to concerns about financial responsibility and judgment.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: a $1,014 judgment filed in 2012, which resulted when Applicant became unemployed and broke a lease for an apartment (1.a). a medical debt placed for collection for $863 (1.b). a medical debt placed for collection for $13,261 (1.h). a telecommunications debt placed for collection for $497 (1.i). two student loans placed for collection for $6,176 and $7,676 (1.j).
The judge denied the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 19(a), AG ¶ 19(c). 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 did not make any payments to his SOR creditors; Insufficient evidence was provided to show progress in resolving delinquent debts; The applicant failed to demonstrate financial responsibility and judgment.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant did not make any payments to his SOR creditors.
- Insufficient evidence was provided to show progress in resolving delinquent debts.
- The applicant failed to demonstrate financial responsibility and judgment.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedHistory of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 20(a)rejectedBehavior Happened so Long Ago, Was Infrequent, or Occurred Under Circumstances Unlikely to RecurThe applicant's financial issues were ongoing and not infrequent.
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedConditions Resulting in Financial Problems Were Largely Beyond the Person's ControlThe applicant did not provide sufficient specifics about how circumstances affected his finances.
- AG ¶ 20(c)rejectedReceived or Is Receiving Counseling for the ProblemThe applicant did not describe receipt of financial counseling.
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedInitiated a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue CreditorsThe applicant did not establish he made any payments to creditors.
- AG ¶ 20(e)appliedReasonable Basis to Dispute the Legitimacy of the Past-due DebtThe applicant credibly disputed one debt.
Key Rule Quoted
“Failure or inability to live within one’s means, satisfy debts, and meet financial obligations may indicate poor self-control, lack of judgment, or unwillingness to abide by rules and regulations, all of which can raise questions about an individual’s reliability, trustworthiness, and ability to protect classified information.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedApr 28, 2016
- Answer filedJun 6, 2016
- Hearing heldDec 8, 2016
- Decision dateFeb 14, 2017
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Unresolved Financial Obligations
- Insufficient Evidence of Financial Responsibility
- Impact of Financial Issues on Security Clearance Eligibility