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Summary

The applicant, a 47-year-old employed in customer support, faced security concerns under Guideline E (personal conduct) and Guideline F (financial considerations) due to significant delinquent debts totaling approximately $18,000. Despite admitting responsibility for several debts, the applicant failed to demonstrate sufficient efforts to resolve her financial issues, leading to a denial of her public trust position application.

Under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: The applicant submitted an SF 85P in January 2007, and in response to a question inquiring whether she was then over 180 days delinquent on any financial obligation she answered 'No' (2.a). Applicant admits she is responsible for four debts alleged in the SOR, totaling $15,301, that have either been charged off as bad debts or submitted for collection (1.a). Applicant submitted proof she paid one of those debts, owing in the amount of $576, in October 2006 (1.b). Applicant claims to have paid a second debt, owing in the amount of $202, but she not submit any proof of payment (1.c). No payment has been made on the other two debts since November 2006 (1.d). The SOR also alleges a debt that is past due in the amount of $783, and another debt that has been placed for collection in the amount of $758 (1.e). Applicant claims to have no knowledge of the identity of the creditors listed for these accounts (1.f). Applicant also claims to have no knowledge of the three medical accounts listed in the SOR, totaling $1,318, that have been submitted for collection (1.g). Each of these accounts is listed in her credit reports, dated January 10 and December 10, 2007 (1.h). Applicant submitted a Public Trust Position Application (SF 85P) in January 2007 (1.i).

The judge denied the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions DC 19(a), DC 19(c). The judge applied mitigating conditions MC 20(b), MC 20(a), MC 20(c), MC 20(d). The decision turned on the following: The applicant admitted responsibility for multiple delinquent debts totaling approximately $15,301, which have been unresolved for over two years; The applicant failed to provide adequate evidence of efforts to resolve her financial problems or to demonstrate that her situation would improve in the near future; The applicant's claims of financial hardship due to her husband's unemployment were not substantiated with sufficient evidence of responsible actions taken to address the debts.

Why the Applicant Was Denied

• The applicant admitted responsibility for multiple delinquent debts totaling approximately $15,301, which have been unresolved for over two years.
• The applicant failed to provide adequate evidence of efforts to resolve her financial problems or to demonstrate that her situation would improve in the near future.
• The applicant's claims of financial hardship due to her husband's unemployment were not substantiated with sufficient evidence of responsible actions taken to address the debts.

Conditions Referenced

Key Rule Quoted

“The protection of the national security is the paramount consideration, and any doubt concerning personnel being considered for access to sensitive information will be resolved in favor of national security.”

Procedural Posture

• SOR issuedFeb 20, 2008
• Answer filedApr 22, 2008Second response submitted after initial incomplete response.
• Hearing held—Applicant requested a decision without a hearing.
• Decision dateSep 16, 2008

Cite For

• Denial Based on Significant Unresolved Financial Obligations Under Guideline F
• Consideration of Personal Conduct in the Context of Financial Issues
• Insufficient Evidence of Mitigating Circumstances Related to Financial Difficulties