Summary
The applicant, a 49-year-old aircraft mechanic and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, faced security concerns under Guideline F due to 16 delinquent debts totaling approximately $22,826. Despite acknowledging some debts and citing personal hardships, the applicant failed to provide evidence of responsible financial management or repayment efforts, leading to a denial of her security clearance application.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: Delinquent debts totaling approximately $22,826 (1.a). Delinquent medical accounts totaling $202 (1.b). Delinquent medical accounts totaling $202 (1.c). Delinquent credit-card accounts totaling $7,472 (1.d). Delinquent credit-card accounts totaling $7,472 (1.e). Delinquent credit-card accounts totaling $7,472 (1.f). Delinquent credit-card accounts totaling $7,472 (1.g). Delinquent credit-card accounts totaling $7,472 (1.h). $910 debt denied by applicant, stating her ex-husband is responsible for paying these debts (1.i). $546 debt denied by applicant, stating her ex-husband is responsible for paying these debts (1.j). $1,139 debt owed to a bank (1.k). Delinquent credit-card accounts totaling $7,472 (1.l). Delinquent credit-card accounts totaling $7,472 (1.m). $360 debt denied by applicant, stating she does not recognize the debt (1.n). $3,525 debt owed to an apartment complex (1.o). $10,488 debt owed to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) (1.p).
The judge denied the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 19(a), AG ¶ 19(c). The decision turned on the following: The applicant failed to mitigate security concerns related to her financial issues despite acknowledging some debts; There was no evidence of responsible financial management or repayment efforts for the delinquent debts; The applicant's denials of certain debts were unsupported by record evidence.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant failed to mitigate security concerns related to her financial issues despite acknowledging some debts.
- There was no evidence of responsible financial management or repayment efforts for the delinquent debts.
- The applicant's denials of certain debts were unsupported by record evidence.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)appliedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)appliedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
Key Rule Quoted
“Eligibility for a security clearance is predicated upon the applicant’s meeting the criteria contained in the AG.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedNov 10, 2015
- Answer filedNov 24, 2015
- Hearing held—Decision made on the record without a hearing.
- Decision dateMay 31, 2016
Cite For
- Failure to Provide Evidence of Financial Responsibility Under Guideline F
- Impact of Personal Circumstances on Financial Obligations
- Burden of Proof for Mitigating Conditions Rests with the Applicant