Summary
A 42-year-old access control officer was denied a security clearance due to significant financial concerns under Guideline F. The applicant had 15 delinquent debts, totaling approximately $51,476, which included unpaid state taxes, multiple delinquent credit card accounts, an unpaid telephone bill, child support arrearage, several student loans, a deficiency after a car repossession, an unpaid judgment from a vacation resort, and an unspecified collection account.
Disqualifying conditions were raised concerning the applicant's history of not meeting financial obligations, inability to satisfy debts, and a pattern of financial irresponsibility. While mitigating conditions were considered, such as the debts not being recent or the result of circumstances beyond the applicant's control, these were not sufficient to overcome the security concerns.
The denial was based on the numerous recent delinquent debts and the applicant's failure to provide sufficient evidence of the financial impact of his divorce or unemployment on his current situation. Crucially, the applicant did not establish a clear plan to resolve his remaining delinquent debts.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant has numerous recent delinquent debts totaling approximately $51,476.
- The applicant did not provide sufficient evidence of the financial impact of his divorce or unemployment on his current financial situation.
- The applicant failed to establish a clear plan to resolve his remaining delinquent debts.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 19(e)raisedConsistent Spending Beyond One’s Means
- AG ¶ 19(g)notedFailure to File Annual Federal, State, or Local Income Tax Returns
- AG ¶ 20(a)rejectedBehavior Happened so Long Ago, Was so Infrequent, or Occurred Under Such Circumstances That It Is Unlikely to RecurThe applicant's debts are recent and numerous.
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedConditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person's ControlThe applicant did not provide evidence showing that his financial problems were caused by circumstances beyond his control.
- AG ¶ 20(c)rejectedThe Person Has Received or Is Receiving Counseling for the ProblemThere is no evidence that the applicant has sought or received debt counseling.
- AG ¶ 20(d)appliedThe Individual Initiated a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors or Otherwise Resolve DebtsThe applicant made payments on some debts but not all.
Key Rule Quoted
“An applicant has the ultimate burden of demonstrating that it is clearly consistent with the national interest to grant or continue his security clearance.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedSep 17, 2008
- Answer filedOct 14, 2008Undated response requesting determination on the record without a hearing.
- Hearing held—No hearing; case decided on the record.
- Decision dateJul 31, 2009
Cite For
- Evaluation of Financial Considerations Under Guideline F
- Burden of Proof Regarding Financial Stability
- Criteria for Mitigating Financial Issues in Security Clearance Cases