Summary
A 35-year-old defense contractor with two children was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline F (Financial Considerations). The denial stemmed from approximately $43,000 in unresolved delinquent debts incurred over the past seven years, for which no documentation of resolution was provided.
Additionally, the applicant had a history of unethical behavior, including termination from a previous job in 2011. This termination was for misusing her employer’s telephone service for numerous personal long-distance calls, a period during which many of her debts also went unpaid. This indicated a conscious choice to charge personal expenses to her employer and a violation of known company ethics policies.
The judge found insufficient evidence to mitigate the applicant's financial irresponsibility and personal conduct violations, leading to the denial of her security clearance.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- Applicant incurred approximately $43,000 in delinquent debts over the past seven years without documentation of resolution.
- Applicant was terminated from her previous job for making personal long-distance calls on the company’s telephone, indicating poor judgment and lack of compliance with rules.
Conditions Referenced
- F.19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- F.19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- E.16(d)raisedCredible Adverse Information
- F.20(a)rejectedBehavior Happened so Long Ago, Was Infrequent, or Unlikely to RecurThe applicant's financial issues are recent and ongoing.
- F.20(b)rejectedConditions Beyond the Person's ControlApplicant did not demonstrate that her financial problems were beyond her control.
- F.20(c)rejectedReceived or Receiving CounselingNo evidence of financial counseling was provided.
- F.20(d)rejectedGood-faith Effort to Repay DebtsApplicant failed to provide evidence of efforts to resolve debts.
- F.20(e)rejectedReasonable Basis to Dispute DebtsApplicant did not provide documented proof to substantiate her disputes.
- E.17(c)rejectedOffense Is Minor or Unlikely to RecurMisuse of employer's resources was serious and recent.
- E.17(d)rejectedAcknowledged Behavior and Obtained CounselingApplicant did not demonstrate acknowledgment or steps taken to change behavior.
- E.17(e)rejectedPositive Steps to Reduce VulnerabilityNo evidence of steps taken to reduce vulnerability to exploitation.
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 issuedJul 28, 2014
- Answer filedAug 22, 2014
- Hearing held—Case decided without a hearing.
- Decision dateApr 13, 2015
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Unresolved Financial Obligations
- Impact of Personal Conduct on Security Clearance Eligibility
- Insufficient Evidence of Mitigation for Financial and Personal Conduct Issues