Summary
A 47-year-old security guard was denied a security clearance under Guideline F, Financial Considerations, due to eight delinquent debts totaling $22,228. The Statement of Reasons detailed specific financial issues, including a telecommunications debt of $231, a state tax lien for $11,072 filed in 2006, and two judgments filed in 2008 for $1,188 and $1,086 respectively. These issues raised disqualifying conditions under Adjudicative Guidelines 19(a) and 19(c).
While mitigating conditions under Adjudicative Guidelines 20(b) and 20(d) were considered, the applicant did not provide sufficient documentation to demonstrate progress in resolving his delinquent debts. He admitted to some of the debts and offered limited mitigating information.
Ultimately, the clearance was denied because the applicant failed to establish that his financial problems were under control or would not recur. He also did not provide evidence of financial counseling or a budget to support his claims of financial responsibility.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant did not provide sufficient documentation to demonstrate progress in resolving his delinquent debts.
- He failed to establish that his financial problems were under control or would not recur in the future.
- The applicant did not provide evidence of financial counseling or a budget to support his claims of financial responsibility.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedConditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person’s ControlWhile the applicant cited unemployment and divorce as factors, he did not provide sufficient evidence of how these circumstances impacted his ability to resolve debts.
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedThe Individual Initiated a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors or Otherwise Resolve DebtsThe applicant did not provide corroborating documentation of efforts to resolve debts beyond a single debt he claimed to have settled.
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 issuedSep 3, 2015
- Answer filedSep 28, 2015Requested decision without a hearing.
- Hearing held—No hearing was conducted.
- Decision dateMay 2, 2016
Cite For
- Insufficient Evidence of Financial Responsibility Under Guideline F
- Impact of Financial Issues on Security Clearance Eligibility
- Burden of Proof on Applicant to Demonstrate Mitigation of Financial Concerns