Summary
A 51-year-old defense contractor was denied a security clearance under Guideline F (Financial Considerations) due to over $17,000 in delinquent debts. The Statement of Reasons detailed four specific allegations: a $5,838 delinquent credit card debt, a $5,025 delinquent credit card debt, a $101 delinquent debt from a returned check dating to June 2002, and a $6,272 debt to a vacation ownership and resort company. These issues raised disqualifying conditions under Adjudicative Guidelines (AG) ¶ 19(a) and AG ¶ 19(c).
While mitigating conditions AG ¶ 20(a), AG ¶ 20(b), AG ¶ 20(c), and AG ¶ 20(d) were considered, the applicant failed to provide sufficient information to resolve the security concerns. The decision highlighted that the applicant owed more than $17,000 in delinquent debts, including the $6,272 unresolved debt.
Ultimately, the denial was based on the applicant's failure to demonstrate that his financial issues were beyond his control or that he had made adequate efforts to resolve them.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- Applicant owed more than $17,000 in delinquent debts, including a $6,272 unresolved debt.
- Insufficient information was provided to mitigate security concerns regarding his financial obligations.
- Applicant did not demonstrate that his financial issues were beyond his control or that he had made efforts to resolve them.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 20(a)rejectedBehavior Happened so Long Ago, Was Infrequent, or Unlikely to RecurApplicant's financial irresponsibility is both long-standing and continues to date.
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedConditions Largely Beyond the Person's ControlApplicant did not demonstrate that any of his delinquent debt arose from circumstances beyond his control.
- AG ¶ 20(c)notedReceived Counseling for the Problem
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedGood-faith Effort to Repay Overdue CreditorsApplicant submitted insufficient evidence to support claims of resolving debts.
Key Rule Quoted
“Any doubt concerning personnel being considered for access to classified information will be resolved in favor of the national security.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedOct 9, 2008
- Answer filedDec 8, 2008Applicant requested a decision without a hearing.
- Hearing held—Case decided on the written record.
- Decision dateMay 26, 2009
Cite For
- Insufficient Evidence to Mitigate Financial Concerns Under Guideline F
- Long-standing Financial Irresponsibility as a Disqualifying Factor
- Lack of Demonstrated Good-faith Efforts to Resolve Debts