Summary
A 50-year-old senior test engineer with over 25 years of security clearance was denied his clearance due to financial considerations under Guideline F. The applicant faced approximately $29,228 in delinquent debt, primarily originating from a divorce. Specific allegations included a $775 judgment debt to his divorce attorney, an $86 unpaid cable television debt, a $10,037 revolving charge account debt placed for collection, a $1,683 charged-off cellular telephone account balance, an $8,508 charged-off credit card balance, and a $5,431 charged-off credit card account placed for collection.
Disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 19(a) and AG ¶ 19(c) were raised, while mitigating conditions AG ¶ 20(a), AG ¶ 20(b), and AG ¶ 20(d) were applied.
The denial was based on the applicant's failure to timely address past due obligations, indicating poor financial judgment. Although some payments were made shortly before the hearing, insufficient evidence was provided to resolve larger debts. The judge determined that the applicant's financial issues were ongoing and not fully mitigated by his claims of having paid certain debts.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant failed to timely address his past due obligations, demonstrating poor financial judgment.
- Despite some payments made shortly before the hearing, the applicant did not provide sufficient evidence to resolve larger debts.
- The applicant's financial issues were ongoing and not fully mitigated by his claims of having paid certain debts.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)appliedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)appliedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 20(a)rejectedThe Behavior Happened so Long Ago, Was so Infrequent, or Occurred Under Such Circumstances That It Is Unlikely to RecurThe applicant's financial issues were ongoing and not resolved.
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedThe Conditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person’s ControlWhile the divorce was a factor, the applicant did not act responsibly in addressing his debts.
- AG ¶ 20(d)appliedThe Individual Initiated a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors or Otherwise Resolve DebtsThe applicant made some payments but only shortly before the hearing.
Key Rule Quoted
“The protection of the national security is the paramount consideration.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedApr 30, 2009
- Answer filedMay 19, 2009
- Hearing heldSep 15, 2009Rescheduled from September 16, 2009.
- Decision dateJan 15, 2010
Cite For
- Financial Considerations Under Guideline F
- Impact of Unresolved Debts on Security Clearance Eligibility
- Importance of Timely Addressing Financial Obligations