Summary
The applicant, a 43-year-old former military officer, faced security concerns under Guideline F due to 14 delinquent debts totaling approximately $29,000. Despite some payments and waivers, he failed to demonstrate sufficient efforts to resolve six significant debts totaling about $22,000, leading to the denial of his security clearance.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: Judgment $2,446 Filed October 1999 (1.a). Judgment for rent $4,321 Unable to locate creditor. Filed March 2001 (1.d). Credit card debt $5,597 To collection in April 2001 (1.e). Medical debt $37 Paid (1.g). Utilities debts $669 & $153 Creditor waived collection on October 2, 2008 (1.i). Vehicle debt $2,712 To collection in July 2006 (1.l). Medical debt $100 Paid (1.m).
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(e). The decision turned on the following: The applicant did not provide sufficient evidence of efforts to resolve six delinquent debts totaling about $22,000; He admitted responsibility for multiple debts but failed to maintain contact with creditors or establish payment plans; The applicant's financial problems were ongoing and not isolated, indicating a lack of good judgment.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant did not provide sufficient evidence of efforts to resolve six delinquent debts totaling about $22,000.
- He admitted responsibility for multiple debts but failed to maintain contact with creditors or establish payment plans.
- The applicant's financial problems were ongoing and not isolated, indicating a lack of good judgment.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 20(a)appliedThe Behavior Happened so Long Ago, Was so Infrequent, or Occurred Under Such Circumstances That It Is Unlikely to Recur
- AG ¶ 20(b)appliedConditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person’s Control
- AG ¶ 20(e)appliedThe Individual Has a Reasonable Basis to Dispute the Legitimacy of the Past-due Debt
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 issuedApr 22, 2008
- Answer filedJun 20, 2008
- Hearing heldAug 21, 2008
- Decision dateOct 8, 2008
Cite For
- Failure to Mitigate Financial Considerations Under Guideline F
- Importance of Demonstrating Efforts to Resolve Delinquent Debts
- Impact of Ongoing Financial Issues on Security Clearance Eligibility