Summary
A 40-year-old U.S. citizen network specialist was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline B (Foreign Influence) and Guideline F (Financial Considerations). While foreign influence concerns were ultimately mitigated, the applicant's financial issues remained unresolved.
The foreign influence concerns stemmed from the applicant's spouse, a Belarusian-born U.S. citizen, whose parents and sister are Belarusian citizens and residents. The spouse communicates with her family bi-weekly and travels to Belarus annually, often accompanied by the applicant. Her family owns businesses in Belarus, and the spouse received ownership of a $70,000 condominium in Belarus in 2003, which her mother controls via a power of attorney granted in 2005.
The financial concerns involved six delinquent debts totaling $134,578, including collections debts of $872, $20,049, and $885, and a second mortgage for $82,500. The applicant admitted responsibility for four of these debts, totaling $116,673, but failed to take reasonable actions to resolve them. He relied on the passage of time for debts to drop off his credit report rather than making payments or seeking financial counseling, and did not provide documented proof for any debt disputes. Consequently, the security clearance was denied.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant admitted responsibility for four SOR debts totaling $116,673 but did not take reasonable actions to resolve these debts.
- He relied on the passage of time for debts to drop off his credit report rather than making payments or seeking financial counseling.
- The applicant did not provide documented proof to substantiate any disputes regarding his debts.
Conditions Referenced
- F1raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- F3raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- F2appliedConditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person's ControlThe applicant's financial issues stemmed from a business downturn and a medical injury.
- F4rejectedGood-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors or Otherwise Resolve DebtsThe applicant did not demonstrate a good-faith effort to resolve his debts.
Key Rule Quoted
“Eligibility for a security clearance is predicated upon the applicant meeting the criteria contained in the adjudicative guidelines.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedAug 18, 2014
- Answer filedSep 19, 2014
- Hearing heldDec 15, 2014Applicant waived his right to 15 days of notice.
- Decision dateJan 23, 2015
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Unresolved Financial Obligations
- Mitigation of Foreign Influence Concerns
- Insufficient Evidence of Good-faith Efforts to Resolve Debts