Summary
A 31-year-old engineer was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guidelines E (Personal Conduct), F (Financial Considerations), G (Alcohol Consumption), and J (Criminal Conduct). The applicant had a history of financial delinquencies, including over $10,000 in unresolved debts, and multiple alcohol-related arrests.
Specific financial concerns included 15 delinquent accounts, such as medical bills, student loans, and credit card debt, some dating back to 2002. The applicant also failed to disclose these debts on his March 17, 2008 security clearance application. Alcohol-related issues included arrests for disorderly intoxication in May 2004, felony battery in December 2004 after drinking, and DUI in October 2006. He was found guilty of DUI and driving with a suspended license, and pled to misdemeanor battery in the 2004 incident. The applicant had not attended formal alcohol treatment or counseling.
While some debts were resolved before the hearing, significant amounts remained. The judge denied the clearance, citing the applicant's failure to mitigate security concerns, including unresolved debts, a lack of a credible plan for debt resolution, and his history of alcohol-related conduct impacting judgment and reliability.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant had multiple unresolved delinquent accounts totaling over $10,000, indicating a history of financial irresponsibility.
- The applicant's alcohol-related arrests raised concerns about his judgment and reliability.
- The applicant failed to provide a credible plan for resolving his remaining debts and did not attend financial counseling.
Conditions Referenced
- FC DC 19(a)appliedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- FC DC 19(c)appliedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AL DC 2(a)appliedAlcohol-related Arrests
- PC DC 16(a)appliedDeliberate Omission of Information on Security Clearance Application
- FC MC 20(d)appliedGood-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors
- FC MC 20(c)rejectedReceiving Counseling for Financial ProblemsThe applicant has not attended financial counseling.
- FC MC 20(b)rejectedConditions Beyond ControlThe applicant continued to incur debts while employed.
- FC MC 20(a)rejectedBehavior Occurred Long Ago or InfrequentlyThe applicant's financial issues spanned several years and were not isolated incidents.
Key Rule Quoted
“Any doubt concerning personnel being considered for access to classified information will be resolved in favor of national security.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedJul 1, 2009
- Answer filedAug 27, 2009
- Hearing heldNov 12, 2009
- Decision dateJan 20, 2010
Cite For
- Financial Irresponsibility and Unresolved Debts Under Guideline F
- Alcohol-related Conduct Impacting Security Clearance Eligibility Under Guideline G
- Deliberate Omission of Information on Security Clearance Applications Under Guideline E.