Summary
A 45-year-old U.S. Army veteran and financial instructor was denied a security clearance due to concerns primarily under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), Guideline B (Foreign Influence), Guideline C (Foreign Preference), and Guideline E (Personal Conduct). The applicant had significant unresolved financial issues, including approximately $40,000 owed to the IRS and $20,000 in delinquent state taxes. He also owed $134,000 for unpaid second mortgages, $4,000 on a delinquent collection account, $3,986 on a home improvement store account, and a $4,200 collection account. His financial history included multiple property foreclosures.
Additionally, the applicant had extensive ties to Ghana, where his mother, father, mother-in-law, four sisters, three brothers, and two step-sisters reside as citizens. He also has a sister who is a Ghanaian citizen living in the U.S. The applicant owns a $30,000 house in Ghana and provided approximately $9,000 quarterly to his family there. He also possessed a Ghanaian passport.
Crucially, the applicant failed to disclose his ownership of property in Ghana, his Ghanaian passport, and his financial support to family members in Ghana on his e-QIP. While some debts were resolved, the judge found that the remaining financial obligations and the lack of a good-faith effort to resolve all outstanding debts, combined with the undisclosed foreign ties, raised significant security concerns, leading to the denial of his clearance.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant has unresolved delinquent debts, including approximately $35,000 owed to the IRS and $20,000 to the state.
- He has a history of financial irresponsibility, including multiple foreclosures on properties.
- The applicant failed to demonstrate a good-faith effort to resolve all outstanding debts.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 20(c)rejectedThe Person Has Received or Is Receiving Counseling for the Problem And/or There Are Clear Indications That the Problem Is Being Resolved or Is Under ControlWhile the applicant has made some payments, he has not established a repayment agreement for all debts.
- AG ¶ 20(d)appliedThe Individual Initiated a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors or Otherwise Resolve DebtsThe applicant has made payments on some debts, but not all.
Key Rule Quoted
“Any doubt concerning personnel being considered for access to classified information will be resolved in favor of national security.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedOct 22, 2014
- Answer filedJul 28, 2014
- Hearing heldOct 22, 2014via MS Teams
- Decision dateMar 17, 2015
Cite For
- Financial Irresponsibility as a Disqualifying Factor Under Guideline F
- The Importance of Resolving Outstanding Debts for Security Clearance Eligibility
- The Application of AG ¶ 20 Mitigating Conditions in Financial Cases