Summary
The applicant, a 56-year-old aircraft mechanic, faced security clearance denial under Guideline F due to over $15,400 in unresolved delinquent debts. The judge found no evidence of efforts to repay or resolve these debts, which raised significant security concerns regarding the applicant's reliability and judgment.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: Applicant acknowledged owing the $275 and $54 medical bills, alleged in SOR ¶¶ 1.a and 1.c, in his October 2010 response to DOHA interrogatories and said he would promptly pay them. He admitted that they both remained unpaid in his March 2011 response to the SOR, and submitted no further evidence of resolution (1.a). The $6,797 collection account alleged in SOR ¶ 1.b resulted from Applicant’s acting as a co-signer on an apartment lease for his nephew during 2007 (1.b). Applicant acknowledged owing the $54 medical bills, alleged in SOR ¶¶ 1.a and 1.c, in his October 2010 response to DOHA interrogatories and said he would promptly pay them. He admitted that they both remained unpaid in his March 2011 response to the SOR, and submitted no further evidence of resolution (1.c). The $7,061 collection account alleged in SOR ¶ 1.d arose from a loan for a car Applicant purchased in 2004. He admitted owing the debt in his response to the SOR (1.d). Applicant also admitted owing the $1,234 debt to a tax service as alleged in SOR ¶ 1.e (1.e).
The judge denied the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 19(a), AG ¶ 19(c). The decision turned on the following: Applicant accrued over $15,400 in delinquent debt with no progress toward resolution during two years of employment; He voluntarily incurred these debts and demonstrated no effort to repay them; Applicant provided no evidence of an effective plan to resolve his debts or prevent continued financial irresponsibility.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- Applicant accrued over $15,400 in delinquent debt with no progress toward resolution during two years of employment.
- He voluntarily incurred these debts and demonstrated no effort to repay them.
- Applicant provided no evidence of an effective plan to resolve his debts or prevent continued financial irresponsibility.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
Key Rule Quoted
“Failure or inability to live within one’s means, satisfy debts, and meet financial obligations may indicate poor self-control, lack of judgment, or unwillingness to abide by rules and regulations, all of which can raise questions about an individual’s reliability, trustworthiness and ability to protect classified information.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedFeb 14, 2011
- Answer filedMar 4, 2011Applicant requested decision on the written record without a hearing.
- Hearing held—No hearing held; case decided on the written record.
- Decision dateDec 30, 2011
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Unresolved Financial Obligations
- Lack of Evidence for Financial Responsibility
- Impact of Financial Irresponsibility on Security Clearance Eligibility