Summary
A 48-year-old single male defense contractor employee was denied a security clearance under Guideline F (Financial Considerations) due to significant financial issues. The applicant admitted to 19 delinquent debts totaling $25,228, with some obligations dating back to 2003. These debts indicated he was financially overextended and raised concerns about his reliability and trustworthiness.
The applicant failed to demonstrate any efforts to resolve these debts, provide a repayment plan, or show consistent payments, beyond a claim of having paid a state tax lien. While some debts appeared to be medical in nature, insufficient evidence was provided to support this or to conclude he had acted responsibly.
Despite a positive cash flow of $356 as of December 2008, this was deemed insufficient to resolve his substantial debts. The judge concluded that the applicant's uncontrolled financial situation posed an unacceptable risk to national security, leading to the denial of his security clearance.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant admitted to 19 delinquent debts totaling $25,228, indicating financial overextension.
- He failed to provide evidence of efforts to resolve his debts or a plan to do so.
- The applicant's financial difficulties have persisted since 2003, raising concerns about his reliability and trustworthiness.
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 RecurThe applicant's financial difficulties are recent and ongoing.
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedConditions Largely Beyond the Person's ControlThe applicant did not provide sufficient evidence of acting responsibly regarding his debts.
- AG ¶ 20(c)rejectedClear Indications That the Problem Is Being Resolved or Is Under ControlThe applicant's debts remain unresolved and significant.
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedGood-faith Effort to Pay Off CreditorsThe applicant has not initiated any good-faith efforts to pay off his debts.
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 issuedJun 26, 2009
- Answer filedSep 3, 2009Requested decision without a hearing.
- Hearing held—No hearing was conducted.
- Decision dateFeb 17, 2010
Cite For
- Financial Overextension as a Disqualifying Condition Under Guideline F
- Lack of Evidence for Mitigating Financial Conditions
- Importance of Demonstrating Good-faith Efforts to Resolve Debts