Summary
The applicant, a 52-year-old woman employed by a DOD contractor, faced security clearance denial under Guideline F due to significant delinquent debts totaling approximately $47,364, primarily from student loans. Despite acknowledging her financial issues and claiming to be making payments, she failed to provide sufficient documentation to substantiate her claims or demonstrate a good-faith effort to resolve her debts, leading to the conclusion that she could not adequately safeguard classified information.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: medical debts in collection for $130 (1.a). medical debts in collection for $60 (1.b). medical debts in collection for $244 (1.c). medical debts in collection for $157 (1.d). two credit card debts in collection for $532 (1.e). two credit card debts in collection for $468 (1.f). a repossessed car debt for $5,403 (1.g). student loans in collection for approximately $40,293 (1.i).
The judge denied the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 19(a), AG ¶ 19(b), 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: Applicant did not provide sufficient documentation to mitigate security concerns for financial considerations under Guideline F; The applicant's debts were numerous, recent, and not incurred under circumstances making recurrence unlikely; Applicant failed to demonstrate a good-faith effort to repay her debts or provide evidence of financial management.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- Applicant did not provide sufficient documentation to mitigate security concerns for financial considerations under Guideline F.
- The applicant's debts were numerous, recent, and not incurred under circumstances making recurrence unlikely.
- Applicant failed to demonstrate a good-faith effort to repay her debts or provide evidence of financial management.
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 ¶ 20(a)rejectedThe Behavior Happened so Long Ago, Was so Infrequent, or Occurred Under Such Circumstances That It Is Unlikely to Recur
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedThe Conditions That Resulted in the Financial Problems Were Largely Beyond the Person’s Control
- AG ¶ 20(c)rejectedThe Person Has Received or Is Receiving Counseling for the Problem
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedThe Individual Has Initiated and Is Adhering to a Good-faith Effort to Repay the Overdue Creditors
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 issuedJun 24, 2016
- Answer filedJul 1, 2016Applicant admitted all allegations.
- Hearing held—Decided on the written record.
- Decision dateJul 17, 2017
Cite For
- Insufficient Documentation to Mitigate Financial Concerns Under Guideline F
- Failure to Demonstrate Good-faith Efforts to Resolve Debts
- Impact of Financial Irresponsibility on Security Clearance Eligibility