Summary
The applicant, a 48-year-old customer service representative, faced concerns under Guideline E (personal conduct) and Guideline F (financial considerations) due to 26 delinquent accounts totaling $29,287. Despite acknowledging her financial issues and expressing intent to file for bankruptcy, the judge found insufficient evidence of progress in resolving her debts, leading to a denial of her eligibility for a public trust position.
Under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: Applicant failed to disclose more of her delinquent debts, as described in the previous section (2.a). vehicle collection debts in 1.a ($5,497) (1.a). student loan collection debts in 1.d ($2,802) (1.d). debt in SOR ¶ 1.f for $15 (1.f). landlord collection debts in 1.h for $2,114 (1.h). landlord collection debts in 1.i for $1,132 (1.i).
The judge denied the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 19(a), AG ¶ 19(c), AG ¶ 16(a). The judge applied mitigating conditions AG ¶ 20(b), AG ¶ 20(c), AG ¶ 20(d). The decision turned on the following: The applicant did not make sufficient progress resolving her financial problems; She failed to disclose all delinquent debts on her security questionnaire, raising trustworthiness concerns.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant did not make sufficient progress resolving her financial problems.
- She failed to disclose all delinquent debts on her security questionnaire, raising trustworthiness concerns.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 16(a)raisedDeliberate Omission, Concealment, or Falsification of Relevant Facts
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedConditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person’s ControlWhile the applicant faced circumstances beyond her control, she did not act responsibly in addressing her debts.
- AG ¶ 20(c)rejectedThe Person Has Received or Is Receiving Counseling for the ProblemThe applicant received financial counseling but did not demonstrate effective management of her debts.
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedThe Individual Initiated a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue CreditorsThe applicant did not make any voluntary payments to her creditors.
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 issuedMay 9, 2014
- Answer filedUndated
- Hearing heldJan 13, 2015via video teleconference
- Decision dateFeb 9, 2015
Cite For
- Insufficient Progress in Resolving Financial Issues Under Guideline F
- Failure to Disclose Financial Problems Under Guideline E
- Impact of Financial Difficulties on Trustworthiness Determinations