Summary
The applicant, a 36-year-old electronics technician, faced security clearance concerns under Guideline F (financial considerations) and Guideline G (alcohol consumption) due to ongoing financial problems and a DUI conviction. While he mitigated the alcohol-related concerns, he failed to demonstrate responsible management of his financial obligations, leading to a denial of his security clearance.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations) and Guideline G (Alcohol Consumption), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: Applicant owes $445 on a department store credit card that was charged off (1.a). Applicant owes $2,634 on a furniture account that was charged off and closed by the credit grantor (1.b). Applicant owes $2,014 on a current collection account (1.c). Applicant owes $4,239 on a current collection account that is a credit card debt (1.d). Applicant owes $7,479 on a truck loan that is being paid by his brother-in-law (1.e). Applicant owes $2,673 to a credit union that was reported as past due (1.f). The applicant was arrested on January 3, 2008, and charged with driving under the influence (DUI) and resisting arrest. Applicant’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was 0.08 at the time of his arrest (2.a).
The judge denied the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions DC 19(a), DC 19(c), DC 22(a). The judge applied mitigating conditions MC 20(a), MC 20(b), MC 20(c), MC 20(d), MC 23(a). The decision turned on the following: The applicant failed to mitigate ongoing financial problems, including multiple delinquent accounts and a lack of meaningful efforts to resolve debts; He did not seek credit counseling or demonstrate a responsible approach to managing his financial obligations after his divorce.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant failed to mitigate ongoing financial problems, including multiple delinquent accounts and a lack of meaningful efforts to resolve debts.
- He did not seek credit counseling or demonstrate a responsible approach to managing his financial obligations after his divorce.
Conditions Referenced
- DC 19(a)appliedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- DC 19(c)appliedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- DC 22(a)raisedAlcohol-related Incidents Away From Work
- MC 20(a)rejectedThe Behavior Occurred Under Such Circumstances That It Is Unlikely to Recur
- MC 20(b)rejectedConditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person’s Control
- MC 20(c)rejectedThe Person Has Received or Is Receiving Counseling for the Problem
- MC 20(d)rejectedThe Individual Initiated a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors
- MC 23(a)appliedSo Much Time Has Passed or the Behavior Was so Infrequent
Key Rule Quoted
“The sole purpose of a security clearance decision is to decide if it is clearly consistent with the national interest to grant or continue a security clearance for an applicant.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedNov 21, 2008
- Answer filedDec 29, 2008
- Hearing heldApr 22, 2009
- Decision dateJun 10, 2009
Cite For
- Failure to Mitigate Financial Problems Under Guideline F
- Mitigation of Alcohol-related Concerns Under Guideline G
- Consideration of the Whole Person Concept in Security Clearance Decisions