Summary
The applicant, a 45-year-old defense contractor with a history of financial difficulties, faced security concerns under Guideline F due to unresolved debts totaling approximately $43,215. Despite acknowledging her financial issues and citing periods of unemployment and family medical problems, the applicant failed to demonstrate responsible behavior or a good-faith effort to resolve her debts, leading to the denial of her security clearance.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: The delinquent debt alleged in SOR ¶ 1.a is a pet-related account in the amount of $571 (1.a). The delinquent debt alleged in SOR ¶ 1.b is a medical account in the amount of $295 (1.b). The delinquent debts alleged in SOR ¶ 1.c are credit card accounts in the amounts of $15,000 (1.c). The delinquent debts alleged in SOR ¶ 1.d are credit card accounts in the amounts of $6,701 (1.d). The delinquent debts alleged in SOR ¶ 1.e are credit card accounts in the amounts of $3,464 (1.e). The delinquent debt alleged in SOR ¶ 1.f is a telecommunications account in the amount of $331 (1.f). The delinquent debts alleged in SOR ¶ 1.g are credit card accounts in the amounts of $6,409 (1.g). The delinquent debts alleged in SOR ¶ 1.h are credit card accounts in the amounts of $9,286 (1.h). The delinquent debts alleged in SOR ¶ 1.i are credit card accounts in the amounts of $1,158 (1.i).
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(c), AG ¶ 20(d), AG ¶ 20(e). The decision turned on the following: Applicant has unresolved debts totaling approximately $43,215; Applicant did not provide sufficient evidence of responsible behavior regarding her financial issues; Applicant failed to demonstrate a good-faith effort to repay overdue creditors.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- Applicant has unresolved debts totaling approximately $43,215.
- Applicant did not provide sufficient evidence of responsible behavior regarding her financial issues.
- Applicant failed to demonstrate a good-faith effort to repay overdue creditors.
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 ControlApplicant provided evidence of unemployment and family medical issues contributing to her financial problems.
- AG ¶ 20(c)appliedThe Person Has Received or Is Receiving Counseling for the ProblemApplicant presented evidence of some financial counseling.
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedThe Individual Initiated a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors or Otherwise Resolve DebtsApplicant did not demonstrate a good-faith effort to pay the debts.
- AG ¶ 20(e)rejectedThe Individual Has a Reasonable Basis to Dispute the Legitimacy of the Past-due DebtApplicant failed to document her dispute concerning certain debts.
Key Rule Quoted
“The protection of the national security is the paramount consideration.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedJun 4, 2013
- Answer filedJun 27, 2013
- Hearing held—Decided on the written record.
- Decision dateNov 6, 2013
Cite For
- Failure to Demonstrate Responsible Financial Behavior Under Guideline F
- Impact of Unresolved Debts on Security Clearance Eligibility
- Consideration of Personal Circumstances in Financial Security Concerns