Summary
The applicant, a 35-year-old beneficiary service representative, faced security concerns under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline F (Financial Considerations) due to one unpaid judgment and 12 unpaid accounts totaling over $16,000. Despite demonstrating some positive work attributes and a desire to manage her debts, the applicant failed to mitigate the financial concerns, leading to a denial of her eligibility for a public trust position.
Under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: Applicant denied falsifying her Questionnaire for Public Trust Positions, SOR ¶¶ 2.a and 2.b (2.a). Applicant admitted she had debts more than 180 days delinquent when her SF 85P was completed (2.b). In September 2005, an $11,554 judgment was entered against Applicant for payment of a water treatment program (1.a). $2,849 judgment (SOR ¶ 1.b) (1.b). $15,057 repossession (SOR ¶ 1.c) (1.c). $1,049 charged-off bank debt (SOR ¶ 1.d) (1.d). $304 telephone service account placed for collection (SOR ¶ 1.e) (1.e). $368 bank account placed for collection (SOR ¶ 1.f) (1.f). $203 collection agency collecting for a former catalog retailer (SOR ¶ 1.g) (1.g). $141 medical account placed for collection (SOR ¶ 1.h) (1.h). $265 medical account placed for collection (SOR ¶ 1.i) (1.i). $50 medical account placed for collection (SOR ¶ 1.j) (1.j). $583 past due amount owed on debt to buy a car (SOR ¶ 1.k) (1.k). $974 past due amount owed creditor in SOR ¶ 1.a (SOR ¶ 1.l) (1.l). $78 collection agency collecting for a water bill (SOR ¶ 1.m) (1.m). $212 returned check (SOR ¶ 1.n) (1.n). $60 returned check (SOR ¶ 1.o) (1.o). $264 collection agency collecting for a telephone provider (SOR ¶ 1.p) (1.p).
The judge denied the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 19(a), AG ¶ 19(c). The judge applied mitigating conditions AG ¶ 20(d), AG ¶ 20(b). The decision turned on the following: The applicant has one unpaid judgment and 12 unpaid accounts totaling over $16,000, indicating financial irresponsibility; The applicant did not demonstrate a reasonable effort to resolve her significant financial obligations, which raises concerns about her reliability and trustworthiness.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant has one unpaid judgment and 12 unpaid accounts totaling over $16,000, indicating financial irresponsibility.
- The applicant did not demonstrate a reasonable effort to resolve her significant financial obligations, which raises concerns about her reliability and trustworthiness.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)appliedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)appliedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 20(d)appliedThe Individual Initiated a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors or Otherwise Resolve Debts
- AG ¶ 20(b)appliedThe Conditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person's Control
Key Rule Quoted
“Failure or inability to live within one's means, satisfy debts, and meet financial obligations may indicate poor self-control, lack of judgment, or unwillingness to abide by rules and regulations, all of which can raise questions about an individual’s reliability, trustworthiness and ability to protect classified information.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedAug 13, 2008
- Answer filedAug 25, 2008
- Hearing heldApr 21, 2009
- Decision dateJul 13, 2009
Cite For
- Financial Irresponsibility as a Disqualifying Factor Under Guideline F
- The Importance of Demonstrating a Good-faith Effort to Resolve Debts
- The Impact of Financial Issues on Trustworthiness Evaluations Under Guideline F