Summary
The applicant, a 31-year-old single male employed by a defense contractor, sought a security clearance under Guideline F (Financial Considerations). He was found to have unresolved debts totaling over $21,000, despite some debts being resolved. The judge concluded that the applicant's financial issues raised concerns about his reliability and trustworthiness, leading to a denial of his security clearance.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: Applicant denies that he is indebted to a financial services company for a judgment filed against him in 2008 in the amount of $1,566 (1.a). Applicant denies that he owes his home state $2,536 for a tax lien (1.b). Applicant denies that he owes a past-due medical account in the amount of $182 (1.c). Applicant denies that he owes a past-due medical account in the amount of $308 (1.d). Applicant denies that he owes a past-due student loan in the amount of $10,733 (1.e). Applicant denies that he owes a past-due credit card debt in the amount of $1,925 (1.f). Applicant denies that he owes a past-due debt in the amount of $12,637 (1.g). Applicant denies that he owes a past-due debt in the amount of $617 (1.h). Applicant denies that he owes a past-due debt in the amount of $420 (1.i). Applicant denies that he owes a past-due debt in the amount of $1,591 (1.j). Applicant denies that he owes a past-due debt in the amount of $55 (1.k). Applicant denies that he owes a past-due debt in the amount of $125 (1.l). Applicant denies that he is indebted to a creditor for an automobile debt in the amount of $16,196 (1.m). Applicant denies that he owes a past-due telephone debt in the amount of $442 (1.n).
The judge denied the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 19(a), AG ¶ 19(c). The judge applied mitigating conditions AG ¶ 20(b), AG ¶ 20(d), AG ¶ 20(e). The decision turned on the following: The applicant had unresolved debts totaling over $21,000, which raised concerns about his reliability and trustworthiness; The applicant failed to provide sufficient documentation to support his claims of resolving debts and did not explain the delay in addressing his financial issues; The applicant's financial difficulties have persisted since at least 2006, indicating a lack of responsible financial management.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant had unresolved debts totaling over $21,000, which raised concerns about his reliability and trustworthiness.
- The applicant failed to provide sufficient documentation to support his claims of resolving debts and did not explain the delay in addressing his financial issues.
- The applicant's financial difficulties have persisted since at least 2006, 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(b)rejectedConditions That Resulted in Financial Problems Were Largely Beyond the Person's ControlThe applicant did not demonstrate that his financial issues were beyond his control.
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedInitiated a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue CreditorsThe applicant did not provide adequate evidence of good-faith efforts to resolve debts.
- AG ¶ 20(e)rejectedReasonable Basis to Dispute the Legitimacy of Past-due DebtThe applicant did not provide sufficient documentation to substantiate his disputes.
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 issuedMar 5, 2013
- Answer filedMar 1, 2013
- Hearing heldN/AApplicant requested a decision without a hearing.
- Decision dateMay 14, 2014
Cite For
- Financial Overextension as a Disqualifying Factor Under Guideline F
- Insufficient Documentation to Support Claims of Debt Resolution
- The Importance of Demonstrating Responsible Financial Management for Security Clearance Eligibility