Summary
A 33-year-old government contractor employee was denied a security clearance under Guideline F (Financial Considerations) due to unresolved financial issues, including significant child support arrears and multiple delinquent debts exceeding $25,000. The Statement of Reasons (SOR) detailed a $9,474 child support debt, which the applicant provided inconsistent information about across various statements. In a 2012 Security Clearance Application (SCA), he claimed the debt was paid in full, but later stated in his SOR response that he was still working to pay it off, owing $380.
Further inconsistencies arose regarding other debts, with the applicant stating in both 2011 and 2012 SCAs that he had just discovered an account and would make payment arrangements. In a 2011 SCA, he also claimed a debt was canceled, resulting in an IRS 1099 Form. One allegation related to the child support debt was withdrawn by the Government as a duplicate.
Despite acknowledging some financial difficulties were beyond his control, the applicant failed to provide sufficient evidence of responsible actions or a clear plan to manage his debts. The denial was based on his inability to demonstrate that his financial problems were resolved or under control, and his limited disclosure of current earnings and financial position.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant failed to present sufficient evidence to show that he acted responsibly under the circumstances.
- The applicant did not demonstrate that his financial problems are resolved or under control.
- The applicant provided little information about his current earnings and financial position.
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 financial problems could have been aggravated by circumstances beyond his control, such as underemployment and divorces.
- AG ¶ 20(a)rejectedThe Behavior Happened so Long Ago, Was so Infrequent, or Occurred Under Such Circumstances That It Is Unlikely to RecurThe applicant's financial problems are ongoing and he did not present sufficient evidence to show they are unlikely to recur.
- AG ¶ 20(c)rejectedThe Person Has Received or Is Receiving Counseling for the Problem And/or There Are Clear Indications That the Problem Is Being Resolved or Is Under ControlThe applicant did not provide evidence of financial counseling or a budget.
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedThe Individual Initiated a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors or Otherwise Resolve DebtsThe applicant failed to show good-faith efforts to repay debts.
- AG ¶ 20(e)rejectedThe Individual Has a Reasonable Basis to Dispute the Legitimacy of the Past-due DebtThe applicant did not establish a reasonable basis for disputing the debts.
Key Rule Quoted
“Eligibility for access to classified information may be granted "only upon a finding that it is clearly consistent with the national interest to do so."”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedSep 18, 2014
- Answer filedOct 7, 2014Applicant elected to have the case decided on the written record.
- Hearing held—No hearing; decision based on written record.
- Decision dateMay 29, 2015
Cite For
- Failure to Demonstrate Responsible Financial Management Under Guideline F
- Insufficient Evidence of Financial Stability or Resolution of Debts
- Impact of Personal Circumstances on Financial Obligations in Security Clearance Cases