Summary
The applicant, a 53-year-old military retiree, faced security concerns under Guideline E (personal conduct) and Guideline F (financial considerations) due to unresolved debts and a history of financial irresponsibility. Despite refuting some allegations, the applicant failed to demonstrate sufficient mitigation of financial issues, leading to a denial of his security clearance application.
Under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: Applicant admitted the 2013 judgment in SOR ¶ 1.b ($1,028) (1.b). Regarding the 2010 judgment listed in SOR ¶ 1.c ($7,026), he indicated he was offered a settlement of $2,000 (1.c). Applicant testified that he has been making $50 payments to the creditor in SOR ¶ 1.d ($697), a collection account from June 2015 for a dental bill (1.d). The debt in SOR ¶ 1.e ($200, delinquent since March 2012) is a collection account for a rental car (1.e). The debts in SOR ¶ 1.f ($136, delinquent since November 2013) and ¶ 1.g ($107, delinquent since November 2013) are to the same cable company (1.f). The debts in SOR ¶ 1.f ($136, delinquent since November 2013) and ¶ 1.g ($107, delinquent since November 2013) are to the same cable company (1.g). The debt in SOR ¶ 1.h is a collection account for a gas bill ($539, delinquent since March 2009) (1.h). The collection account in SOR ¶ 1.i is for a cell phone bill ($1,469 delinquent since May 2011) (1.i). The collection account in SOR ¶ 1.j (balance alleged $1,930, delinquent since December 2010) is for a cell phone bill (1.j).
The judge denied the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions F.19(a), F.19(c). The judge applied mitigating conditions F.20(b), F.20(c). The decision turned on the following: The applicant failed to resolve multiple delinquent debts and judgments, raising concerns about his financial responsibility; The applicant did not provide sufficient evidence of a reasonable plan to address his financial issues; The applicant's financial problems were recent and ongoing, casting doubt on his reliability and judgment.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant failed to resolve multiple delinquent debts and judgments, raising concerns about his financial responsibility.
- The applicant did not provide sufficient evidence of a reasonable plan to address his financial issues.
- The applicant's financial problems were recent and ongoing, casting doubt on his reliability and judgment.
Conditions Referenced
- F.19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- F.19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- F.20(b)appliedConditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person's ControlSome financial issues were attributed to periods of unemployment and family illness.
- F.20(c)appliedThe Person Has Received or Is Receiving Counseling for the ProblemThe applicant received financial counseling but did not demonstrate that his financial problems are under control.
Key Rule Quoted
“The protection of the national security is the paramount consideration.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedJul 29, 2015
- Answer filedAug 11, 2015
- Hearing heldJan 11, 2016via video teleconference
- Decision dateJan 28, 2016
Cite For
- Failure to Mitigate Financial Considerations Under Guideline F
- Impact of Unresolved Debts on Security Clearance Eligibility
- Consideration of Personal Conduct in Financial Irresponsibility Cases