Summary
The applicant, a 51-year-old retired military member with a history of financial difficulties, faced security clearance denial under Guideline F due to significant delinquent debts totaling $79,521.90. Despite acknowledging some debts, the applicant failed to provide evidence of efforts to resolve them or to dispute their legitimacy, leading to concerns about his reliability and trustworthiness.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: Applicant has a judgment for $2,986 (1.a). Applicant has a telephone bill for $624 (1.b). Applicant has a cable television debt for $120 (1.c). Applicant has a bank debt for $11,628 (1.d). Applicant has a department store debt for $855 (1.e). Applicant has a collection debt for $175 (1.f). Applicant has a student loan for $21,779 (1.g). Applicant has a telephone bill for $177 (1.h). Applicant has a mortgage loan in foreclosure for $36,745 (1.i). Applicant has a city tax for $2,986.34 (1.j). Applicant has another tax owed to the same city for $1,246.56 (1.k). Applicant has a homeowners association fee for $200 (1.l).
The judge denied the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions F.1.a, F.1.c, F.1.g. The judge applied mitigating conditions F.2.b, F.2.e. The decision turned on the following: The applicant has 12 delinquent debts totaling $79,521.90, which remain unpaid; The applicant did not provide evidence of efforts to resolve his debts or seek financial counseling; The applicant's claims regarding the legitimacy of some debts were not substantiated with documentation.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant has 12 delinquent debts totaling $79,521.90, which remain unpaid.
- The applicant did not provide evidence of efforts to resolve his debts or seek financial counseling.
- The applicant's claims regarding the legitimacy of some debts were not substantiated with documentation.
Conditions Referenced
- F.1.araisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- F.1.craisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- F.1.graisedFailure to File Annual Federal, State, or Local Income Tax Returns as Required
- F.2.brejectedThe Conditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person's ControlThe applicant did not provide proof of responsible actions taken to resolve debts.
- F.2.erejectedThe Individual Has a Reasonable Basis to Dispute the Legitimacy of the Past-due DebtThe applicant did not provide evidence to substantiate his claims regarding the legitimacy of the debts.
Key Rule Quoted
“Any doubt concerning personnel being considered for access to classified information will be resolved in favor of national security.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedFeb 6, 2013
- Answer filedMar 7, 2013
- Hearing heldJun 24, 2013
- Decision dateAug 20, 2013
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Unresolved Financial Obligations
- Failure to Demonstrate Responsible Action Regarding Debts
- Insufficient Evidence to Dispute Legitimacy of Debts