Summary
A 48-year-old engineering support specialist was denied a security clearance under Guideline F, Financial Considerations, due to significant and ongoing financial issues. These included a Chapter 7 bankruptcy and multiple delinquent debts totaling approximately $16,499.
Specifically, the applicant admitted to a $2,421 debt delinquent since 2008, and an unpaid $4,175 debt for which no action had been taken. Another debt of $8,507 stemmed from a 2007 vehicle loan he cosigned for his son, and a $1,396 medical account had been in collection since 2010, with no payments documented.
The denial was based on the applicant's admission of all allegations, his failure to provide evidence of payments or a plan to resolve the debts, and the recent and ongoing nature of his financial difficulties, which indicated a lack of responsible financial management.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- Applicant admitted all allegations under Guideline F, including a Chapter 7 bankruptcy and multiple delinquent debts.
- Applicant did not provide evidence of any payments made towards his debts or a plan to resolve them.
- The applicant's financial issues were recent and ongoing, indicating a lack of responsible financial management.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 20(a)rejectedThe 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 financial difficulties were recent and ongoing.
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedThe Conditions That Resulted in the Behavior Were Largely Beyond the Person’s Control and the Individual Acted Responsibly Under the CircumstancesThe applicant did not provide sufficient evidence to show that his financial issues were beyond his control.
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedThe Individual Initiated a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors or Otherwise Resolve DebtsThe applicant failed to demonstrate any efforts to resolve his debts.
- AG ¶ 20(c)rejectedThe Person Has Received or Is Receiving Counseling for the ProblemThe applicant did not provide evidence of financial counseling.
Key Rule Quoted
“The clearly consistent standard indicates that security clearance determinations should err, if they must, on the side of denials.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedSep 11, 2013
- Answer filed—Applicant requested an administrative determination in lieu of a hearing.
- Hearing held—No hearing was held; decision based on written record.
- Decision dateMar 18, 2014
Cite For
- Failure to Demonstrate Financial Responsibility Under Guideline F
- Insufficient Evidence to Mitigate Financial Concerns
- Importance of Providing a Plan to Address Delinquent Debts