Summary
A 51-year-old U.S. citizen, originally from Afghanistan, was denied a security clearance due to financial considerations under Guideline F. The applicant faced concerns regarding approximately $51,639 in unresolved debts across multiple credit card accounts. Specific allegations included delinquent debts of $10,810, $6,608, $8,889, and $9,885 on individual credit cards, along with two accounts totaling $6,519 and $8,928 with a single creditor.
Disqualifying conditions related to financial irresponsibility were raised, while mitigating conditions, such as the debts not being recent or the result of conditions beyond the applicant's control, were considered.
Ultimately, the clearance was denied because the applicant had unresolved debts totaling approximately $51,639, indicating a lack of financial responsibility. Insufficient evidence was provided to demonstrate that the financial problems were under control or unlikely to recur, and the applicant did not show a good-faith effort to resolve all outstanding debts, despite settling some.
Why the Applicant Prevailed
- The applicant settled two debts, demonstrating some effort to address financial issues.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 20(b)appliedConditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person's ControlThe applicant's business failure and subsequent unemployment contributed to his financial issues.
- AG ¶ 20(a)rejectedBehavior Happened so Long Ago, Was Infrequent, or Occurred Under Circumstances Unlikely to RecurThe applicant did not provide sufficient evidence to show that the debts are unlikely to recur.
- AG ¶ 20(c)rejectedReceived or Is Receiving Counseling for the ProblemThe applicant failed to present evidence of financial counseling.
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedInitiated a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue CreditorsThe applicant did not demonstrate a good-faith effort to pay the remaining debts.
Key Rule Quoted
“The protection of the national security is the paramount consideration.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedAug 30, 2012
- Answer filedNov 30, 2012Applicant elected to have the case decided on the written record.
- Hearing held—Case decided on the written record.
- Decision dateJun 20, 2013
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Unresolved Financial Obligations Under Guideline F
- Importance of Demonstrating Responsible Financial Behavior in Security Clearance Evaluations
- Impact of Financial Instability on Trustworthiness and Reliability for Access to Classified Information.