Summary
A 34-year-old married woman with two children was denied a security clearance under Guideline F (Financial Considerations) due to approximately $14,000 in delinquent debt. The Statement of Reasons detailed several financial issues, including a $4,572 judgment entered in March 2003, and outstanding bills from 1999 hospitalizations. Additional debts arose from financing a wedding reception and furniture, as well as subsequent medical bills that became delinquent. One allegation, 1.a, was satisfied by June 2006 and no longer represented a security concern.
Disqualifying conditions under Adjudicative Guideline (AG) ¶ 19(a) and AG ¶ 19(c) were raised. While mitigating conditions AG ¶ 20(b) and AG ¶ 20(d) were applied, they were insufficient to overcome the government's concerns.
The denial was based on the applicant's failure to mitigate security concerns regarding her financial delinquencies. Although her financial problems were exacerbated by family medical issues and underemployment, she did not successfully adhere to payment plans. Furthermore, recent mortgage delinquencies indicated ongoing financial instability, leading to the final decision to deny the clearance.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant failed to mitigate the government's security concerns regarding her financial delinquencies.
- Her financial problems were exacerbated by a series of family medical issues and underemployment, but she did not successfully adhere to her payment plans.
- The applicant's recent mortgage delinquencies indicated ongoing financial instability.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)appliedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)appliedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 20(b)raisedConditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person's Control
- AG ¶ 20(d)raisedInitiated a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors
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 issuedOct 24, 2008
- Answer filedNov 13, 2008
- Hearing heldMay 11, 2009Originally scheduled for March 2, 2009, but continued due to inclement weather.
- Decision dateNot specified
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Unresolved Financial Delinquencies
- Impact of Medical Issues on Financial Stability Under Guideline F
- Failure to Demonstrate a Consistent Track Record of Financial Responsibility