Summary
A 33-year-old single mother was denied a security clearance under Guidelines E (Personal Conduct) and F (Financial Considerations). The denial stemmed from significant financial delinquencies totaling approximately $28,700 and a lack of candor on her security clearance application.
Specifically, the applicant failed to disclose her termination from previous employment and answered "No" to a question about being fired from a job. She also did not disclose her history of financial difficulties and delinquencies on the application. Her financial issues included multiple cell phone debts (some paid, some delinquent since 2004 and 2005), a gas bill delinquent since 2008, medical debt delinquent since October 2007, credit card debt delinquent since March 2009, government debt delinquent since 2005, a timeshare property delinquent since 2007, and cable service delinquent since January 2009. One unpaid debt had a settlement offer, and another resolved debt was delinquent since April 2009.
The judge found that the applicant had 15 debts totaling approximately $28,700, with many remaining unpaid. Her failure to disclose her job termination and financial delinquencies on the application indicated a lack of candor. Ultimately, the applicant did not demonstrate a good-faith effort to resolve her financial issues prior to the Statement of Reasons, leading to the denial of her security clearance.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant had 15 debts totaling approximately $28,700, with many remaining unpaid.
- She failed to disclose her job termination and financial delinquencies on her security clearance application, indicating a lack of candor.
- The applicant did not demonstrate a good-faith effort to resolve her financial issues prior to the Statement of Reasons.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 16(a)raisedDeliberate Omission, Concealment, or Falsification of Relevant Facts
- AG ¶ 20(b)appliedConditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person's ControlThe applicant experienced periods of unemployment that affected her finances.
- AG ¶ 20(d)appliedThe Individual Initiated a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors or Otherwise Resolve DebtsThe applicant made some payments on her debts after receiving the SOR.
Key Rule Quoted
“A security clearance decision is intended only 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 issuedFeb 25, 2010
- Answer filedMar 18, 2010
- Hearing heldJul 15, 2010
- Decision dateSep 23, 2010
Cite For
- Financial Irresponsibility Under Guideline F
- Lack of Candor Under Guideline E
- Insufficient Mitigation of Security Concerns Due to Financial Issues