Summary
A 54-year-old aircraft mechanic was denied a security clearance under Guidelines E (Personal Conduct) and F (Financial Considerations). The denial stemmed from nine delinquent debts totaling $15,983 and the intentional omission of a judgment from his security clearance application.
The Statement of Reasons (SOR) included allegations that the applicant had a judgment entered against him and bills turned over to collection agencies within the past seven years. Specific debts included five medical collections, a 2012 judgment for $3,675 owed to a lawyer, and another judgment for $1,033 that the applicant did not recognize. Disqualifying conditions F.19(a), F.19(c), and E.16(a) were raised, while mitigating conditions F.20(b), F.20(d), and E.17(a) were considered.
The judge found that the applicant failed to demonstrate sufficient progress in resolving his delinquent debts and lacked credibility regarding his financial situation. The intentional omission of a judgment from his application further demonstrated a lack of candor. Ultimately, insufficient evidence was presented to mitigate the concerns related to financial considerations and personal conduct, leading to the denial of the security clearance.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- Applicant failed to make sufficient progress resolving delinquent debts totaling $15,983.
- Applicant intentionally omitted a judgment from his security clearance application, demonstrating a lack of candor.
- Insufficient evidence was presented to mitigate financial considerations and personal conduct concerns.
Conditions Referenced
- F.19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- F.19(c)raisedHistory of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- E.16(a)raisedDeliberate Omission, Concealment, or Falsification of Relevant Facts
- F.20(b)rejectedConditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person’s ControlWhile some circumstances were beyond the applicant's control, he did not provide sufficient specifics or evidence of responsible actions taken.
- F.20(d)rejectedGood-faith Effort to Repay Overdue CreditorsThe applicant did not demonstrate a good-faith effort to address most of his delinquent debts.
- E.17(a)rejectedPrompt, Good-faith Efforts to Correct the OmissionThe applicant did not make prompt efforts to correct the omission before being confronted.
Key Rule Quoted
“Eligibility for a security clearance is predicated upon the applicant meeting the criteria contained in the revised adjudicative guidelines.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedJul 2, 2015
- Answer filedJul 24, 2015
- Hearing heldApr 7, 2016Applicant waived right to 15 days notice.
- Decision dateMay 9, 2016
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Financial Irresponsibility Under Guideline F
- Lack of Candor in Security Clearance Application Under Guideline E
- Insufficient Evidence of Mitigating Circumstances for Financial Issues