Summary
A 32-year-old male with prior military service was denied a security clearance under Guideline F, Financial Considerations, due to unresolved financial issues. The Statement of Reasons (SOR) alleged 11 delinquent debts totaling approximately $50,376. These included four medical accounts, two for $847 each, and a charged-off account for $761. Other debts ranged from $337 to $18,176, including a $13,778 delinquent account, a $10,000 delinquent account, and a $3,698 delinquent account.
The applicant resolved four of the debts. However, the denial was based on his failure to provide sufficient evidence that five remaining debts, totaling $12,693, had been addressed or satisfied. The applicant did not demonstrate a good-faith effort to resolve these remaining delinquent debts.
The adjudicator applied Disqualifying Conditions AG ¶ 19(a) and AG ¶ 19(c), while also considering Mitigating Conditions AG ¶ 20(a), AG ¶ 20(b), AG ¶ 20(c), AG ¶ 20(d), and AG ¶ 20(e). Ultimately, the applicant's ongoing and unresolved financial problems raised concerns about his reliability and trustworthiness, leading to the denial of his security clearance.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- Applicant failed to provide evidence that five debts totaling $12,693 were addressed or satisfied.
- Applicant did not demonstrate a good-faith effort to resolve his remaining delinquent debts.
- The applicant's financial problems were ongoing and unresolved, raising questions about his reliability.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 20(a)rejectedBehavior Happened so Long Ago, Was Infrequent, or Unlikely to RecurApplicant's financial problems are ongoing and unresolved.
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedConditions Beyond the Person's ControlApplicant failed to show he acted responsibly regarding his remaining debts.
- AG ¶ 20(c)rejectedReceived Counseling for the ProblemNo evidence of financial counseling was presented.
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedGood-faith Effort to Repay Overdue CreditorsApplicant did not provide evidence of recent payments or progress.
- AG ¶ 20(e)rejectedReasonable Basis to Dispute Legitimacy of DebtApplicant admitted to owing the debts without disputing their legitimacy.
Key Rule Quoted
“The protection of the national security is the paramount consideration.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedFeb 6, 2013
- Answer filedMar 1, 2013Applicant elected to have the case decided on the written record.
- Hearing held—No hearing was held.
- Decision dateDec 30, 2013
Cite For
- Failure to Mitigate Financial Considerations Under Guideline F
- Importance of Providing Evidence for Debt Resolution
- Impact of Ongoing Financial Issues on Security Clearance Eligibility