Summary
The applicant, a 37-year-old divorced driver/mechanic with a history of financial issues, faced security clearance denial under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline F (Financial Considerations) due to significant delinquent debts totaling $44,229 and a failure to disclose these debts on his e-QIP. The judge found that the applicant's financial irresponsibility and lack of candor raised serious concerns about his reliability and trustworthiness, leading to the denial of his security clearance.
Under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: Applicant was alleged to have deliberately falsified his October 2007 e-QIP by denying any debts over 180 days delinquent within the past seven years (2.a). Applicant was alleged to have deliberately falsified his October 2007 e-QIP by denying any debts currently over 90 days delinquent (2.b). following a November 2000 bankruptcy discharge (1.a). Utility services debt in collection $1,813 (1.b). Charged off auto loan $16,145 (1.c). Past due student loan $10,734 (1.d). Past due student loan $10,672 (1.e). Credit card debt in collection $1,514 (1.f). Credit card debt in collection $741 (1.g). Cable television debt in collection $701 (1.h). Credit card debt in collection $698 (1.i). Credit card debt in collection $628 (1.j). Utility services debt in collection $507 (1.k). Telephone services debt in collection $76 (1.l).
The judge denied the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 19(a), AG ¶ 19(c), AG ¶ 16(a). The judge applied mitigating conditions AG ¶ 20(b), AG ¶ 20(c), AG ¶ 20(d). The decision turned on the following: Applicant has significant delinquent debts totaling $44,229, indicating financial irresponsibility; Applicant deliberately falsified his e-QIP by denying any debts over 180 days delinquent; Applicant failed to provide evidence of efforts to resolve his financial issues or to disclose his debts truthfully.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- Applicant has significant delinquent debts totaling $44,229, indicating financial irresponsibility.
- Applicant deliberately falsified his e-QIP by denying any debts over 180 days delinquent.
- Applicant failed to provide evidence of efforts to resolve his financial issues or to disclose his debts truthfully.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedHistory of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 16(a)raisedDeliberate Omission, Concealment, or Falsification
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedConditions Beyond the Person's ControlApplicant did not provide sufficient evidence that his financial problems were largely beyond his control.
- AG ¶ 20(c)rejectedReceived Counseling or Indications That the Problem Is Being ResolvedApplicant's promises to pursue debt consolidation were not sufficient to demonstrate resolution of financial issues.
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedGood-faith Effort to Repay DebtsApplicant did not demonstrate a good-faith effort to resolve his 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 issuedMay 13, 2008
- Answer filedJul 27, 2008Applicant requested a decision without a hearing.
- Hearing held—No hearing was conducted.
- Decision dateJan 8, 2009
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Significant Financial Issues Under Guideline F
- Failure to Disclose Debts on E-qip Under Guideline E
- Impact of Financial Irresponsibility on Security Clearance Eligibility.