Summary
A 54-year-old single female applicant was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline F (Financial Considerations) and Guideline H (Drug Involvement). The applicant had over $120,000 in delinquent debts and a long history of marijuana use. The judge determined that the applicant failed to demonstrate sufficient mitigation efforts for these concerns.
Regarding financial issues, the applicant had significant debts, including lines of credit for a horse business totaling over $10,000, credit card debts of $54,789, and a $5,000 debt for a tractor that was reported stolen after she could not afford payments. She also had a $223,835 mortgage on a condominium she purchased in 2005, where she stopped making payments around 2010 while awaiting a loan modification that was never formally requested. Additionally, she incurred a $17,000 debt for furniture for her partner, who did not reimburse her as promised. Many of these debts were included in her Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition.
Under Guideline H, the applicant admitted to occasional marijuana use since 1971, starting at age 13. She obtained the drug from friends and used it alone at home every couple of months, but never grew or sold it. The denial was based on her history of financial problems, including numerous delinquent debts and a recent bankruptcy, her long-term marijuana use, and insufficient documentation of good-faith efforts to resolve her financial obligations.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant has a history of financial problems, including numerous delinquent debts and a recent Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing.
- The applicant's long-term and recent use of marijuana raises serious doubts about her judgment and reliability.
- The applicant did not provide sufficient documentation to demonstrate a good-faith effort to resolve her financial obligations.
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 ¶ 25(c)raisedIllegal Drug Possession
- AG ¶ 20(a)rejectedBehavior Happened so Long Ago or InfrequentlyThe applicant's debts are numerous and not in the distant past.
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedConditions Beyond the Person's ControlThe applicant did not act reasonably in response to unforeseen circumstances.
- AG ¶ 20(c)rejectedReceived Counseling for the ProblemThe applicant could not provide information about the credit counseling.
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedGood-faith Effort to Repay DebtsThe applicant's efforts occurred primarily after being prompted by the clearance process.
- AG ¶ 20(e)appliedReasonable Basis to Dispute the Legitimacy of the DebtThe applicant disputed two SOR debts related to her horse business.
Key Rule Quoted
“A security clearance decision is intended only to resolve the question of 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 issuedApr 11, 2011
- Answer filedMay 8, 2011
- Hearing heldAug 17, 2011
- Decision dateAug 31, 2011
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Significant Financial Issues Under Guideline F
- Denial of Security Clearance Based on Long-term Illegal Drug Use Under Guideline H
- Insufficient Evidence of Good-faith Efforts to Resolve Financial Obligations.