Summary
A 40-year-old senior administrative assistant, a high school graduate, was denied a security clearance under Guideline F (Financial Considerations) due to approximately $18,325 in delinquent debts. The Statement of Reasons detailed nine specific allegations, including an unpaid satellite TV account, four unpaid medical accounts, an unpaid car loan, and four personal credit accounts.
The applicant admitted to owing these debts, which raised disqualifying conditions under Adjudicative Guidelines (AG) ¶ 19(a) and AG ¶ 19(c). While some debts were resolved prior to the Statement of Reasons, the applicant did not provide evidence of a systematic effort to repay the remaining obligations.
Despite the application of mitigating conditions under AG ¶ 20(a), AG ¶ 20(b), AG ¶ 20(c), AG ¶ 20(d), and AG ¶ 20(e), the applicant's failure to demonstrate a comprehensive plan to address her financial situation led to concerns about her reliability and trustworthiness, resulting in the denial of her security clearance.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- Applicant admitted to owing approximately $18,325 in delinquent debts.
- Applicant did not provide evidence of a systematic effort to repay her debts.
- The applicant's financial situation raised concerns about her 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(d)appliedThe Individual Initiated a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors or Otherwise Resolve Debts
- AG ¶ 20(a)rejectedThe Behavior Happened so Long Ago, Was so Infrequent, or Occurred Under Such Circumstances That It Is Unlikely to Recur and Does Not Cast Doubt on the Individual's Current Reliability, Trustworthiness, or Good Judgment
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedThe Conditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person's Control
- AG ¶ 20(c)rejectedThe Individual Has Taken Positive Steps to Reduce or Eliminate Financial Problems
- AG ¶ 20(e)rejectedThe Individual Has a Reasonable Basis to Dispute the Legitimacy of the Past-due Debt
Key Rule Quoted
“A security clearance decision is intended to resolve whether it is clearly consistent with the national interest for an applicant to either receive or continue to have access to classified information.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedJan 26, 2009
- Answer filedFeb 23, 2009Applicant requested a decision without a hearing.
- Hearing held—No hearing was held.
- Decision dateJun 26, 2009
Cite For
- Financial Considerations Under Guideline F
- Impact of Delinquent Debts on Security Clearance Eligibility
- Applicant's Burden of Persuasion in Security Clearance Cases