Summary
The applicant, a 59-year-old senior quality assurance engineer, faced security clearance denial under Guideline F due to seven delinquent debts totaling $23,360. The judge found insufficient evidence of resolution or progress in addressing these financial issues, leading to a determination that the applicant did not meet the necessary criteria for access to classified information.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: SOR ¶ 1.a alleges a mortgage account that went to foreclosure in 2012 (1.a). SOR ¶¶ 1.b, 1.d, and 1.h allege three bank credit card debts for $6,568, $2,958, and $9,638. The three debts became delinquent in 2011 (1.b). SOR ¶ 1.e alleges a charged-off bank debt for $1,893 (1.e). SOR ¶ 1.f alleges a medical debt for $261 (1.f).
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), AG ¶ 20(e). The decision turned on the following: The applicant has seven delinquent debts totaling $23,360; Insufficient evidence was provided to demonstrate resolution of financial issues or progress in addressing debts; Financial considerations security concerns were not mitigated.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant has seven delinquent debts totaling $23,360.
- Insufficient evidence was provided to demonstrate resolution of financial issues or progress in addressing debts.
- Financial considerations security concerns were not mitigated.
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 Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person’s Control
- AG ¶ 20(c)rejectedThe Individual Has Received or Is Receiving Financial Counseling
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedThe Individual Initiated and Is Adhering to a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors
- AG ¶ 20(e)rejectedThe Individual Has a Reasonable Basis to Dispute the Legitimacy of the Past-due Debt
Key Rule Quoted
“Eligibility for a security clearance is predicated upon the applicant meeting the criteria contained in the adjudicative guidelines.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedJun 24, 2016
- Answer filedAug 9, 2016
- Hearing heldMar 14, 2017Applicant waived his right to 15 days of notice.
- Decision dateMay 15, 2017
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Unresolved Financial Issues
- Insufficient Evidence of Financial Rehabilitation
- Impact of Delinquent Debts on Security Clearance Eligibility