Summary
A 64-year-old federal contractor was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline F (Financial Considerations). The Statement of Reasons alleged the applicant failed to disclose a defaulted mortgage and a delinquent debt. Specifically, the applicant had a mortgage that was $19,889 past due with a balance of $143,443, owed $1,034 to a cellular company since 2009, and owed $581 to another creditor since 2012.
While the judge found the applicant's explanation for the non-disclosure credible, mitigating conditions for personal conduct were applied. However, the applicant failed to provide sufficient evidence to mitigate the financial concerns.
The applicant did not submit documentation confirming efforts to resolve the debts or demonstrate that they were under control. Consequently, the security clearance was denied, as the applicant failed to produce sufficient evidence to mitigate the financial security concerns related to the defaulted mortgage and the two other delinquent debts.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant failed to produce sufficient evidence to mitigate financial security concerns related to a defaulted mortgage and two other delinquent debts.
- The applicant did not submit documentation confirming efforts to resolve the debts or that they were under control.
Conditions Referenced
- F.1.araisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- F.1.craisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- E.2.arejectedThe Behavior Happened so Long Ago, Was so Infrequent, or Occurred Under Such Circumstances That It Is Unlikely to RecurThe applicant did not provide evidence that the financial issues were resolved or unlikely to recur.
- F.20.brejectedThe Conditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person’s ControlWhile circumstances contributed to the debts, the applicant did not provide evidence of responsible actions taken.
- F.20.drejectedThe Individual Initiated a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors or Otherwise Resolve DebtsThe applicant did not demonstrate good-faith efforts to resolve the debts.
Key Rule Quoted
“Any doubt concerning personnel being considered for access to classified information will be resolved in favor of the national security.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedJan 29, 2015
- Answer filedMay 22, 2015Applicant requested a decision on the written record.
- Hearing held—No hearing; decision made on the written record.
- Decision dateFeb 29, 2016
Cite For
- Failure to Mitigate Financial Concerns Under Guideline F
- Credibility of Applicant's Explanation for Non-disclosure Under Guideline E
- Importance of Providing Evidence to Support Claims of Financial Resolution.