Summary
A 48-year-old former defense contractor employee was denied a security clearance under Guideline F (Financial Considerations) due to significant financial delinquencies and misuse of a company credit card. The applicant faced allegations concerning multiple debts, including a $6,541 judgment satisfied by wage garnishment, a $287 state tax lien, and various medical and consumer debts totaling approximately $27,000. Specific debts included a $567 medical debt, a $66 telephone service debt, a $327 medical debt, consumer debts of $6,827, $2,593, $8,315, and $5,162, and a past-due mortgage of $8,297 on a $209,000 loan. Additionally, the applicant admitted to misusing a company credit card.
The judge acknowledged the applicant's claims that unemployment and divorce contributed to the financial difficulties. However, the decision highlighted that the applicant had unresolved delinquent debts totaling approximately $27,000 and failed to establish repayment plans with creditors.
Ultimately, the judge found insufficient evidence of responsible action to mitigate the concerns, noting that the financial issues were recent and ongoing. This raised concerns about the applicant's reliability and trustworthiness, leading to the denial of the security clearance.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant has unresolved delinquent debts totaling approximately $27,000.
- The applicant failed to establish repayment plans with creditors for his debts.
- The applicant's financial issues are recent and ongoing, 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 ¶ 19(d)raisedDeceptive or Illegal Financial Practices
- AG ¶ 20(a)rejectedBehavior Happened Long Ago or InfrequentlyThe applicant's financial issues are recent and ongoing.
- AG ¶ 20(b)appliedConditions Largely Beyond the Person's ControlThe applicant's financial difficulties were partly caused by divorce and unemployment.
- AG ¶ 20(c)rejectedReceived Counseling for the ProblemThe applicant's financial issues are not being resolved and are not under control.
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedGood-faith Effort to Repay DebtsLimited payments on two debts are insufficient to demonstrate a good-faith effort.
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 issuedMar 24, 2010
- Answer filedJun 3, 2010
- Hearing heldMar 24, 2011via video teleconference
- Decision dateJun 4, 2011
Cite For
- Insufficient Evidence of Financial Responsibility Under Guideline F
- Impact of Unresolved Debts on Security Clearance Eligibility
- Consideration of Personal Circumstances in Financial Delinquencies