Summary
A 37-year-old military veteran and federal contractor was denied a security clearance under Guideline F, Financial Considerations, due to 15 delinquent debts totaling approximately $19,277. Specific allegations included an outstanding vehicle loan of $14,997, a medical bill for $99, and a $449 debt owed to a pet hospital, which the applicant admitted.
The denial was based on the applicant's failure to provide evidence of payment, settlement, or resolution for any of the alleged debts. Despite acknowledging some obligations and expressing an intent to pay, the applicant did not document any steps taken to address these financial issues.
This lack of action raised concerns about the applicant's reliability and judgment, leading to the denial. Disqualifying conditions under AG ¶ 19(a) and AG ¶ 19(c) were raised, while mitigating conditions under AG ¶ 20(b), AG ¶ 20(d), and AG ¶ 20(e) were applied but ultimately did not overcome the concerns regarding the unresolved financial obligations.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- Applicant has 15 delinquent debts totaling approximately $19,277 that are unpaid or unresolved.
- Applicant did not provide evidence to show she has paid, settled, or resolved any of the alleged debts.
- Applicant failed to document steps taken to address her delinquent debts, raising doubts about her reliability and judgment.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 20(b)appliedConditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person's ControlApplicant attributed her financial problems to being a single parent and taking a lower paying job.
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedGood-faith Effort to Repay Overdue CreditorsApplicant did not provide evidence of making a good-faith effort to pay any of the delinquent debts.
- AG ¶ 20(e)rejectedReasonable Basis to Dispute the Legitimacy of the Past-due DebtApplicant did not provide evidence of actions taken to dispute the debts or resolve the issues.
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 issuedSep 26, 2015
- Answer filedNov 4, 2015Applicant elected to have her case decided on the written record.
- Hearing held—No hearing; case decided on written record.
- Decision dateFeb 23, 2016
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Unresolved Financial Obligations Under Guideline F
- Failure to Demonstrate a Good-faith Effort to Address Delinquent Debts
- Impact of Financial Irresponsibility on Reliability and Trustworthiness for Security Clearance