Summary
The applicant, a 39-year-old martial arts trainer, faced security clearance denial under Guideline F due to six delinquent debts totaling $39,583. While he established a payment plan for a federal tax debt, he failed to make sufficient progress on his other debts, leading to the conclusion that financial considerations were not mitigated.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: is for a federal tax debt for $6,200—PAYMENT PLAN (1.a). are three debts owed to the same credit union for $2,134, $4,477, and $12,333—UNRESOLVED (1.b). is a debt owed to a credit union for $12,333—UNRESOLVED (1.e). is a student loan for $3,843—UNRESOLVED (1.f).
The judge denied the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 19(a), AG ¶ 19(c). The judge applied mitigating conditions AG ¶ 20(a), AG ¶ 20(b). The decision turned on the following: The applicant has six delinquent debts totaling $39,583, with minimal progress made in resolving them; The applicant's financial issues indicate poor self-control and lack of judgment, raising concerns about reliability and trustworthiness.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant has six delinquent debts totaling $39,583, with minimal progress made in resolving them.
- The applicant's financial issues indicate poor self-control and lack of judgment, raising concerns about reliability and trustworthiness.
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 Occurred Under Circumstances Unlikely to RecurThe applicant's financial issues are ongoing and have not been resolved.
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedConditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person's ControlThe applicant's financial difficulties were self-inflicted due to poor financial management.
Key Rule Quoted
“Failure or inability to live within one’s means, satisfy debts, and meet financial obligations may indicate poor self-control, lack of judgment, or unwillingness to abide by rules and regulations, all of which can raise questions about an individual’s reliability, trustworthiness, and ability to protect classified information.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedApr 23, 2012
- Answer filedMay 8, 2012
- Hearing heldJul 12, 2012Applicant waived right to 15 days notice.
- Decision dateJul 24, 2012
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Unresolved Financial Obligations
- Impact of Financial Irresponsibility on Security Clearance Eligibility
- Criteria for Evaluating Financial Considerations Under Guideline F