Summary
The applicant, a 48-year-old Material Supply Handler with a defense contractor, faced financial difficulties under Guideline F due to health issues and mismanagement of finances, admitting to debts totaling approximately $61,000. The applicant demonstrated significant efforts to resolve these debts and has shown financial responsibility since obtaining employment in 2017, leading to the granting of his security clearance.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: Applicant is indebted to a state for a tax lien entered against him in 2010 in the approximate amount of $9,334 (1.a). Applicant was indebted to the Federal Government for a tax lien entered against him in 2017 the approximate amount of $5,391 (1.b). Applicant was indebted to Federal Government for a tax lien entered against him in 2014 in the approximate amount of $22,627 (1.c). Applicant was indebted to a creditor for an account that was placed for collection in the approximate amount of $19,769 (1.d). Applicant was indebted to a creditor for an account that was placed for collection in the approximate amount of $555 (1.e). Applicant was indebted to a creditor for an account that was placed for collection in the approximate amount of $2,463 (1.f). Applicant was indebted to a creditor for an account that was placed for collection in the approximate amount of $408 (1.g). Applicant was indebted to a creditor for an account that was past due in the approximate amount of $1,129 (1.h).
The judge granted the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 19(a), AG ¶ 19(c), AG ¶ 19(f). The judge applied mitigating conditions AG ¶ 20(a), AG ¶ 20(b), AG ¶ 20(d), AG ¶ 20(g). The decision turned on the following: The applicant has made significant progress in resolving his delinquent debts since June 2017; He has adhered to payment plans with tax authorities and has paid off several debts in full; The applicant demonstrated financial responsibility and good judgment in managing his finances after a period of hardship.
Why the Applicant Prevailed
- The applicant has made significant progress in resolving his delinquent debts since June 2017.
- He has adhered to payment plans with tax authorities and has paid off several debts in full.
- The applicant demonstrated financial responsibility and good judgment in managing his finances after a period of hardship.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 19(f)raisedFailure to File or Fraudulently Filing Annual Federal, State, or Local Income Tax Returns
- AG ¶ 20(a)appliedBehavior Happened Long Ago or Infrequently
- AG ¶ 20(b)appliedConditions Largely Beyond the Person's Control
- AG ¶ 20(d)appliedGood-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors
- AG ¶ 20(g)appliedArrangements with Tax Authority
Key Rule Quoted
“The ultimate determination of whether to grant eligibility for a security clearance must be an overall commonsense judgment based upon careful consideration of the guidelines and the whole-person concept.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedJun 13, 2018
- Answer filedJul 2, 2018
- Hearing heldDec 3, 2018
- Decision dateJan 28, 2019
Cite For
- Mitigation of Financial Concerns Under Guideline F
- Demonstrating Good Faith Efforts to Resolve Debts
- Consideration of Health Issues Impacting Financial Stability