Summary
The applicant, a 34-year-old former Air Force master sergeant, faced security clearance denial under Guideline F due to significant delinquent debts totaling approximately $26,000. Despite some payments made towards certain debts, the judge found insufficient evidence of a responsible financial management plan, leading to concerns about the applicant's reliability and trustworthiness.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: a loan past due for $746 with a balance of $796 (1.a). a credit card debt charged off for $771 (1.b). a loan placed for collection for $774 (1.c). a loan charged off for $1,541 (1.d). a loan charged off for $168 (1.e). a medical debt placed for collection for $159 (1.f). a closed bank account charged off for $644 (1.g). two credit card debts to the same creditor for $3,660 (1.h). two credit card debts to the same creditor for $3,692 (1.i). a loan placed for collection for $10,862 (1.j). traffic camera tickets for $250 (1.k). traffic camera tickets for $65 (1.l). traffic camera tickets for $250 (1.m). traffic camera tickets for $250 (1.n). traffic camera tickets for $400 (1.o). traffic camera tickets for $360 (1.p). traffic camera tickets for $240 (1.q). traffic camera tickets for $240 (1.r). a loan placed for collection for $541 (1.s). a bank loan placed for collection for $724 (1.t).
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). The decision turned on the following: The applicant admitted to 20 allegations of delinquent debt totaling approximately $26,000; The applicant failed to demonstrate a meaningful track record of debt repayment or a reasonable plan to resolve remaining debts; The applicant's financial problems were not under control, raising questions about his judgment and reliability.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant admitted to 20 allegations of delinquent debt totaling approximately $26,000.
- The applicant failed to demonstrate a meaningful track record of debt repayment or a reasonable plan to resolve remaining debts.
- The applicant's financial problems were not under control, raising questions about his judgment and reliability.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 20(a)rejectedThe Behavior Happened so Long Ago, Was so Infrequent, or Occurred Under Such Circumstances That It Is Unlikely to RecurThe applicant's financial issues were ongoing and directly related to his spending habits.
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedThe Conditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person’s ControlWhile the loss of the wife's income was beyond the applicant's control, the applicant's decision to incur debt was within his control.
- AG ¶ 20(c)rejectedThe Person Has Received or Is Receiving Counseling for the ProblemThe applicant's past financial counseling was not relevant to his current debts.
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedThe Individual Has Initiated a Good-faith Effort to Repay the Overdue Creditors or Otherwise Resolve DebtsThe applicant did not provide sufficient evidence of a systematic method for handling debts.
Key Rule Quoted
“A person who seeks access to classified information enters into a fiduciary relationship with the Government predicated upon trust and confidence.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedJul 15, 2016
- Answer filedAug 10, 2016
- Hearing heldFeb 14, 2017Hearing convened as scheduled.
- Decision dateMay 15, 2017
Cite For
- Evaluation of Financial Responsibility Under Guideline F
- Impact of Ongoing Financial Issues on Security Clearance Eligibility
- Whole-person Concept in Security Clearance Adjudications