Summary
The applicant, a 30-year-old security guard, faced security concerns under Guideline F due to approximately $39,800 in delinquent debts accumulated since 2007. Despite beginning to make payments on one federal student loan, the judge found that the applicant failed to demonstrate responsible financial management or mitigate the ongoing financial issues, resulting in a denial of his security clearance.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: The $3,766 debt alleged in SOR ¶ 1.a is a judgment owed to a credit card company. It is unresolved (1.a). The $4,644 debt alleged in SOR ¶ 1.b is owed to a credit card company. It is a collection account that has been charged off. It is unresolved (1.b). The $3,975 debt alleged in SOR ¶ 1.c is owed to a bank for a credit card. It is a collection account that has been charged off. It is unresolved (1.c). The $729 debt alleged in SOR ¶ 1.d is owed to a bank for a credit card. It is a collection account that has been charged off. It is unresolved (1.d). The $2,424 debt alleged in SOR ¶ 1.e is owed to a bank for a credit card. It is a collection account that has been charged off. It is unresolved (1.e). The $2,012 debt alleged in SOR ¶ 1.f is owed to a bank for a credit card. It is a collection account that has been charged off. It is unresolved (1.f). The $6,376 debt alleged in SOR ¶ 1.g is owed to a credit union. It is unresolved (1.g). The $7,065 debt alleged in SOR ¶ 1.h is owed to a credit union. Despite Applicant’s denial of this debt, the evidence indicates that it is his debt. It is unresolved (1.h). The $3,181 debt alleged in SOR ¶ 1.i is owed to a university. It is unresolved (1.i). The $5,662 debt alleged in SOR ¶ 1.j is a federal student loan. Applicant began making small monthly payments in March 2014. It is being resolved (1.j).
The judge denied the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 19(a), AG ¶ 19(c). The judge applied mitigating conditions AG ¶ 20(d). The decision turned on the following: Applicant has approximately $39,800 in unresolved delinquent debts dating back to 2007; He failed to provide evidence of responsible financial management or efforts to resolve debts until recently; The judge found no evidence of financial counseling or a budget to manage his debts.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- Applicant has approximately $39,800 in unresolved delinquent debts dating back to 2007.
- He failed to provide evidence of responsible financial management or efforts to resolve debts until recently.
- The judge found no evidence of financial counseling or a budget to manage his debts.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedHistory of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 20(d)appliedGood-faith Effort to Repay Overdue CreditorsApplicant began making payments on one federal student loan.
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 issuedDec 30, 2013
- Answer filedFeb 1, 2014
- Hearing heldN/ADecided on the written record without a hearing.
- Decision dateJun 27, 2014
Cite For
- Financial Responsibility Under Guideline F
- Impact of Unresolved Debts on Security Clearance Eligibility
- Importance of Demonstrating Financial Management Efforts