Summary
The applicant, a 38-year-old defense contractor with a master's degree, faced security concerns under Guideline F (Financial Considerations) and Guideline H (Drug Involvement). Despite mitigating the drug involvement issues, the applicant's unresolved financial debts and lack of a financial plan led to the denial of his security clearance.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations) and Guideline H (Drug Involvement), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: The debt alleged in SOR ¶ 1.a is a judgment resulting from past-due rent in the amount of $2,050 (1.a). The debt alleged in SOR ¶ 1.b is a charged-off credit card debt in the amount of $45,906 (1.b). The debt alleged in SOR ¶ 1.c is a charged-off credit card debt in the amount of $9,111 (1.c). The debt alleged in SOR ¶ 1.d is charged-off credit card debt in the amount of $18,567 (1.d). The debt alleged in SOR ¶ 1.e is a collection account on a credit card debt in the amount of $13,452 (1.e). The debt alleged in SOR ¶ 1.f is a duplicate of the debt in SOR ¶ 1.e. This debt is resolved (1.f). Unauthorized use of prescription drugs (2.a). Unauthorized use of prescription drugs (2.b). Unauthorized use of prescription drugs (2.c).
The judge denied the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 19(a), AG ¶ 19(c), AG ¶ 25(a). The judge applied mitigating conditions AG ¶ 20(b), AG ¶ 20(c), AG ¶ 26(a). The decision turned on the following: The applicant has numerous unresolved debts and failed to demonstrate a meaningful plan to address them; The applicant's financial difficulties were attributed to circumstances beyond his control, but he did not act responsibly to resolve his debts.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant has numerous unresolved debts and failed to demonstrate a meaningful plan to address them.
- The applicant's financial difficulties were attributed to circumstances beyond his control, but he did not act responsibly to resolve his debts.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 25(a)raisedAny Drug Abuse
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedConditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person’s ControlWhile the applicant experienced personal setbacks, he failed to take meaningful action to address his debts.
- AG ¶ 20(c)rejectedReceived Counseling for the Problem And/or Clear Indications That the Problem Is Being ResolvedThe applicant's debts are not resolved or under control.
- AG ¶ 26(a)appliedBehavior Happened so Long Ago, Was Infrequent, or Unlikely to Recur
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 issuedSep 16, 2010
- Answer filedOct 26, 2010
- Hearing heldApr 7, 2011convened as scheduled on December 1, 2010
- Decision date—
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Unresolved Financial Obligations
- Mitigation of Drug Involvement Concerns Under Specific Circumstances
- Importance of Demonstrating a Financial Plan to Address Debts in Security Clearance Cases