Summary
A 38-year-old executive administrative assistant was denied a security clearance under Guideline F (Financial Considerations) due to significant delinquent debts totaling $38,585 across 18 accounts. The applicant acknowledged these financial issues, attributing specific debts to a delinquent water bill, consolidated student loans, internet merchandise purchases, and two delinquent credit cards, one of which resulted in a judgment. She claimed to be making payments on some debts and intended to establish payment plans for others.
Disqualifying conditions related to an inability or unwillingness to satisfy debts were raised. While mitigating conditions were considered, the applicant ultimately failed to provide sufficient evidence of efforts to resolve her financial issues. Her claims of consulting a financial planner and establishing a budget were unsubstantiated, and no documentation of payments made on her debts was provided.
Consequently, the applicant's financial irresponsibility raised concerns about her reliability and trustworthiness, leading to the denial of her security clearance.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- Applicant has 18 delinquent accounts totaling $38,585, indicating an inability or unwillingness to satisfy debts.
- Applicant failed to provide documentation showing efforts to resolve her financial issues or payments made on her debts.
- The applicant's claims of consulting a financial planner and establishing a budget were not substantiated with evidence.
Conditions Referenced
- DC 19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- DC 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- MC 20(b)appliedConditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person's ControlApplicant's financial problems were attributed to living beyond her means and economic downturns.
- MC 20(a)rejectedBehavior Happened so Long Ago, Was Infrequent, or Occurred Under Circumstances Unlikely to RecurApplicant's financial issues are ongoing and have not been resolved.
- MC 20(c)rejectedReceived Counseling for the Problem And/or Clear Indications That the Problem Is Being ResolvedNo evidence of counseling or resolution of financial issues was provided.
- MC 20(d)rejectedInitiated a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors or Resolve DebtsApplicant did not demonstrate any good-faith efforts to address her debts.
Key Rule Quoted
“No one has a right to a security clearance and the clearly consistent standard indicates that security clearance determinations should err, if they must, on the side of denials.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedJul 29, 2011
- Answer filedAug 10, 2011Requested decision based on written record without a hearing.
- Hearing held—No hearing; decision based on written record.
- Decision dateDec 13, 2011
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Significant Delinquent Debts Under Guideline F
- Failure to Provide Evidence of Debt Resolution Efforts
- Impact of Financial Irresponsibility on Security Clearance Eligibility