Summary
A 30-year-old defense contractor employee and former U.S. Army service member was denied a security clearance under Guideline F (Financial Considerations) due to significant unresolved financial obligations. The applicant faced allegations concerning multiple debts, including a collection debt of $10,034, another collection account for $1,078, and a charged-off credit card debt of $4,105.
Additional financial issues included a 2005 judgment for unpaid rent totaling $436, a collection account for a cell phone bill of $40, and another charged-off account for $1,100. These debts collectively amounted to approximately $16,000. Disqualifying conditions under Adjudicative Guidelines (AG) ¶ 19(a) and AG ¶ 19(c) were raised.
Despite the application of mitigating conditions under AG ¶ 20(a), (b), (c), (d), and (e), the clearance was denied. The denial was based on the applicant's unresolved debts, her admitted irresponsibility with finances, her stated intention not to pay delinquent debts, and her refusal to seek financial counseling.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- Applicant has unresolved debts totaling approximately $16,000, indicating an inability or unwillingness to satisfy debts.
- Applicant admitted to being irresponsible with her finances and has no intention of paying her delinquent debts.
- Applicant has not received financial counseling and does not see the need for it.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 20(a)rejectedBehavior Happened so Long Ago, Was Infrequent, or Unlikely to RecurApplicant's financial problems were a result of irresponsible behavior and she has no intention of paying the debts.
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedConditions Largely Beyond the Person's ControlApplicant did not explain how her unemployment impacted her ability to pay debts.
- AG ¶ 20(c)rejectedReceived or Receiving CounselingApplicant has not received counseling and does not see the need for it.
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedGood-faith Effort to Repay Overdue CreditorsApplicant has not shown good faith with her creditors.
- AG ¶ 20(e)rejectedReasonable Basis to Dispute the Legitimacy of the DebtApplicant did not provide documented proof to dispute the debts.
Key Rule Quoted
“Any doubt concerning personnel being considered for access to classified information will be resolved in favor of national security.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedFeb 15, 2008
- Answer filedMar 25, 2008
- Hearing heldMay 6, 2008
- Decision dateMay 21, 2008
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Unresolved Financial Obligations Under Guideline F
- Impact of Financial Irresponsibility on Security Clearance Eligibility
- Lack of Good Faith in Addressing Debts as a Disqualifying Factor