Summary
A 31-year-old administrative assistant for a Department of Defense contractor was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline F (Financial Considerations). The denial stemmed from numerous unresolved debts and omissions in her security clearance application.
The applicant had an unpaid judgment of $1,500 and another judgment she was actively paying. Additionally, she had 26 debts in collection, ranging from $2,000 down to $1. The Statement of Reasons also listed 70 debts in collection for $0. While the judge determined the applicant did not intentionally falsify her application, her financial issues were deemed significant and unmitigated by her claims of past hardships.
The denial was based on the applicant's significant unresolved debts, which raised questions about her reliability and trustworthiness. She failed to provide documentation demonstrating responsible actions to resolve these debts, and her current income and expenses were unknown, preventing an assessment of her ability to manage her financial obligations.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant has significant unresolved debts that raise questions about her reliability and trustworthiness.
- The applicant failed to provide documentation showing that she acted responsibly to resolve her debts.
- The applicant's current income and expenses were unknown, making it difficult to assess her ability to pay her debts.
Conditions Referenced
- F.1.araisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- F.1.craisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- F.2.arejectedThe Behavior Happened so Long Ago, Was so Infrequent, or Occurred Under Such Circumstances That It Is Unlikely to Recur and Does Not Cast Doubt on the Individual’s Current Reliability, Trustworthiness, or Good JudgmentThe applicant's debts are current and ongoing.
- F.2.brejectedThe Conditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person’s ControlWhile the applicant's financial issues arose from her divorce and job loss, she did not provide evidence of responsible actions taken to resolve her debts.
- F.2.drejectedThe Individual Initiated a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors or Otherwise Resolve DebtsThe applicant did not provide documentation showing payments or efforts to resolve her debts.
Key Rule Quoted
“The protection of the national security is the paramount consideration.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedJul 2, 2011
- Answer filedAug 2, 2011Requested decision on the written record.
- Hearing held—No hearing; decision made on the written record.
- Decision dateDec 30, 2011
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Unresolved Financial Issues Under Guideline F
- Failure to Provide Truthful Information on Security Clearance Application Under Guideline E
- Importance of Demonstrating a Plan to Resolve Financial Problems for Mitigation Under Guideline F