Summary
A 38-year-old electronic technician was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline F (Financial Considerations) and Guideline E (Personal Conduct). The applicant had a history of financial difficulties, including filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy in 2001, which was dismissed in 2003.
Specific financial issues included an $856 cell phone debt with no action taken, an $8,254 debt for a big screen TV that now shows as $3,000 owed, and two charged-off military loans totaling over $5,000. He also had a $183 animal hospital bill he intended to pay, a debt for tires over $1,000 from 2007, and four credit card debts with little information. Additionally, he had seven medical bills in collection and multiple traffic fines from a previous city of residence.
Despite acknowledging his financial irresponsibility and having a stable job, the applicant failed to demonstrate sufficient efforts to resolve his substantial debts. The decision noted his admission of delinquent debts and lack of evidence for good faith repayment efforts, concluding that his financial issues were not due to circumstances beyond his control.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant admitted to substantial delinquent debts and a history of financial irresponsibility.
- He failed to provide evidence of a good faith effort to repay overdue creditors or resolve debts.
- The applicant's financial issues were not mitigated by circumstances beyond his control.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedConditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person's ControlThe applicant's financial issues were primarily due to his own lack of responsibility.
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedGood Faith Effort to Repay Overdue CreditorsInsufficient evidence of efforts to resolve debts.
- AG ¶ 20(e)appliedReasonable Basis to Dispute the Legitimacy of the Past-due DebtThe applicant established a reasonable basis for disputing some debts.
Key Rule Quoted
“The protection of the national security is the paramount consideration.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedNov 6, 2008
- Answer filedNov 20, 2008
- Hearing heldFeb 18, 2009Hearing convened as scheduled.
- Decision dateApr 7, 2009
Cite For
- Failure to Mitigate Financial Considerations Under Guideline F
- Impact of Financial Irresponsibility on Security Clearance Eligibility
- Application of the Whole Person Concept in Security Clearance Decisions