Summary
A 29-year-old acquisition associate was denied a security clearance under Guideline F (Financial Considerations) due to 20 delinquent debts totaling $143,721. The Statement of Reasons specifically cited several collection and charged-off accounts, including one for $330, others totaling $2,840, another for $36, a charged-off account for $1,032, and a collection account for $1,409.
The applicant acknowledged her financial issues and expressed an intent to resolve them. However, she failed to provide any evidence of payment arrangements or concrete efforts to address the outstanding debts.
The adjudicator determined that the applicant's ongoing financial problems raised concerns about her reliability and judgment, leading to the denial of her security clearance. Disqualifying conditions under AG ¶ 19(a) and AG ¶ 19(c) were raised, while mitigating conditions under AG ¶ 20(d), AG ¶ 20(a), AG ¶ 20(b), and AG ¶ 20(c) were considered but ultimately not sufficient to overcome the security concerns.
Why the applicant was denied
- The applicant had 20 delinquent debts totaling $143,721, which she admitted to in her response to the SOR.
- She failed to provide proof of payment arrangements or efforts to resolve her debts.
- The applicant's financial problems were ongoing and cast doubt on her reliability and judgment.
Conditions referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 20(d)appliedGood-faith Effort to Repay Overdue CreditorsThe applicant indicated plans to negotiate settlements but provided no evidence of actual payments.
- AG ¶ 20(a)rejectedBehavior Happened Long Ago or InfrequentlyThe applicant's financial problems are ongoing and have not been resolved.
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedConditions Largely Beyond the Person's ControlThe applicant did not demonstrate that her financial issues were beyond her control.
- AG ¶ 20(c)rejectedReceived Counseling or Evidence of ResolutionThe applicant did not provide evidence of financial counseling or a clear resolution of her debts.
Key rule quoted
“Eligibility for access to classified information is predicated upon the applicant meeting the criteria contained in the AGs.”
Procedural posture
- SOR issuedMar 6, 2013
- Answer filedJun 19, 2013Applicant elected for a written record decision.
- Hearing held—No hearing; case decided on written record.
- Decision dateOct 31, 2013
Cite for
- Failure to Mitigate Financial Considerations Under Guideline F
- Ongoing Financial Issues Impacting Security Clearance Eligibility
- Lack of Evidence for Repayment Plans in Financial Cases