Summary
The applicant, a 43-year-old unmarried mother of three, sought a security clearance under Guideline F due to financial difficulties, including $14,251 in undisputed debts. Despite claiming medical issues as the cause of her financial troubles, the judge found insufficient evidence of responsible debt management or efforts to resolve her debts, leading to a denial of her application.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: Applicant has accumulated significant delinquent debt, much of it several years old, which has not been satisfied (1.a). Applicant has accumulated significant delinquent debt, much of it several years old, which has not been satisfied (1.b). Applicant has accumulated significant delinquent debt, much of it several years old, which has not been satisfied (1.c). Applicant has accumulated significant delinquent debt, much of it several years old, which has not been satisfied (1.d). Applicant disputed the debt listed as 1.e. in the amount of $171, because the creditor had not provided the service that had been agreed to (1.e). Applicant has accumulated significant delinquent debt, much of it several years old, which has not been satisfied (1.f). Applicant has accumulated significant delinquent debt, much of it several years old, which has not been satisfied (1.g). Applicant disputed the debt listed as 1.h. in the amount of $161 because it was for tax year 2000 for State A, but she had moved out of State A in 1999 and paid her state tax for that year to State B (1.h). Applicant has accumulated significant delinquent debt, much of it several years old, which has not been satisfied (1.i).
The judge denied the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 19(a), AG ¶ 19(c). The judge applied mitigating conditions AG ¶ 20(b), AG ¶ 20(c), AG ¶ 20(d). The decision turned on the following: The applicant has significant overdue debts totaling $14,251, which she has not resolved or managed responsibly; No evidence was presented showing that the applicant contacted creditors or established payment plans for her debts; The applicant's financial difficulties were largely self-created, and she failed to demonstrate a stable financial status or efforts to mitigate her debts.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant has significant overdue debts totaling $14,251, which she has not resolved or managed responsibly.
- No evidence was presented showing that the applicant contacted creditors or established payment plans for her debts.
- The applicant's financial difficulties were largely self-created, and she failed to demonstrate a stable financial status or efforts to mitigate her debts.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)appliedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)appliedHistory of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedConditions Largely Beyond the Person's ControlThe applicant did not provide evidence of responsible actions taken to address her financial issues.
- AG ¶ 20(c)rejectedDebt Is Being Repaid or ResolvedNo evidence of repayment or resolution of debts was presented.
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedGood Faith Effort to Repay DebtsThe applicant did not demonstrate any good faith efforts to repay her debts.
Key Rule Quoted
“Failure or inability to live within one’s means, satisfy debts, and meet financial obligations may indicate poor self-control, lack of judgment, or unwillingness to abide by rules and regulations, all of which can raise questions about an individual’s reliability, trustworthiness and ability to protect classified information.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedMar 23, 2015
- Answer filedApr 16, 2015Applicant requested decision on written record.
- Hearing held—No hearing; decided on written record.
- Decision dateJun 8, 2016
Cite For
- Financial Responsibility Under Guideline F
- Impact of Unresolved Debts on Security Clearance Eligibility
- Whole-person Concept in Security Clearance Decisions