Summary
The applicant, a 63-year-old senior analyst with a history of financial difficulties, faced security clearance denial under Guideline F due to unresolved debts totaling approximately $82,645. Despite resolving some debts, the applicant's financial irresponsibility and lack of a plan to address significant outstanding obligations led to concerns about reliability and trustworthiness.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: a $252 medical account placed for collection (1.a). a $2,140 cell phone account placed for collection (1.b). a $2,176 medical account placed for collection (1.c). a $36,516 AMEX account placed for collection (1.d). a $15,287 AMEX account placed for collection (1.e). a $8,854 credit account that was charged off (1.f).
The judge denied the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions FC DC 19(a), FC DC 19(c). The judge applied mitigating conditions FC MC 20(b), FC MC 20(d). The decision turned on the following: The applicant has unresolved debts totaling approximately $82,645, which he has neglected for over eight years; While the applicant resolved some debts, he has not taken sufficient action to address his two largest delinquent accounts; The applicant's financial irresponsibility, including spending significant funds on helping others rather than addressing his debts, raised concerns about his judgment.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant has unresolved debts totaling approximately $82,645, which he has neglected for over eight years.
- While the applicant resolved some debts, he has not taken sufficient action to address his two largest delinquent accounts.
- The applicant's financial irresponsibility, including spending significant funds on helping others rather than addressing his debts, raised concerns about his judgment.
Conditions Referenced
- FC DC 19(a)appliedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- FC DC 19(c)appliedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- FC MC 20(b)appliedConditions Largely Beyond the Person's ControlThe applicant's employer did not pay him during 2003, contributing to his financial issues.
- FC MC 20(d)rejectedGood-faith Effort to Repay Overdue CreditorsWhile the applicant resolved some debts, he has not initiated a good-faith effort towards resolving his largest debts.
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 issuedAug 20, 2009
- Answer filedSep 11, 2009
- Hearing heldNov 19, 2009
- Decision dateJan 28, 2010
Cite For
- Financial Irresponsibility and Its Impact on Security Clearance Eligibility
- Unresolved Debts as a Basis for Denial Under Guideline F
- The Importance of Demonstrating Good-faith Efforts to Resolve Financial Obligations