Loading case…

Summary

The applicant, a 60-year-old chiropractor, sought a public trust position but faced allegations under Guideline F (Financial Considerations) and Guideline B (Foreign Influence). He admitted to significant financial debts exceeding $230,000 and acknowledged a relationship with a foreign national from Iran, which raised national security concerns. The judge concluded that the applicant did not demonstrate sufficient trustworthiness or eligibility for the position sought, resulting in a denial of his application.

Under Guideline B (Foreign Influence) and Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: Applicant has foreign contacts and interests, including but not limited to, business, financial, and property interests, that are a national security concern if they result in divided allegiance (2.1). Applicant is indebted to the Government for student loans that were placed for collection in the approximate amount of $185,575 (1.a). Applicant is indebted to State A, for a tax lien entered against him in August 2013 in the approximate amount of $861 (1.b). Applicant was indebted to a creditor for an account that was charged off in the approximate amount of $171 (1.c). Applicant was indebted to a creditor for an account that was placed in collection in the approximate amount of $2,154 (1.d). Applicant was indebted to a creditor for an account that was placed for collection in the approximate amount of $1,590 (1.e). Applicant was indebted to a creditor for an account that was placed for collection in the approximate amount of $549 (1.f). Applicant is indebted to a creditor for an account that was placed for collection in the approximate amount of $500 (1.g). Applicant is indebted to a creditor for an account that was placed for collection in the approximate amount of $99 (1.h). Applicant is indebted to the Federal Government for a Federal tax lien filed against him in June 2005 in the approximate amount of $41,534 (1.i). Applicant is indebted to State A, for a tax lien filed against him in August 2006, in the approximate amount of $714 (1.j). Applicant is indebted to State A, for a tax lien filed against him in February 1999, then refiled in September 2002, in the approximate amount of $1,030 (1.k).

The judge denied the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 19(a), AG ¶ 19(b), AG ¶ 19(c), AG ¶ 7(a), AG ¶ 7(b). The decision turned on the following: The applicant has a history of financial distress with significant delinquent debts totaling over $230,000; The applicant's relationship with a foreign national from Iran raised national security concerns due to the country's known risks; The applicant failed to provide sufficient evidence of efforts to resolve his financial issues or mitigate foreign influence concerns.

Why the Applicant Was Denied

• The applicant has a history of financial distress with significant delinquent debts totaling over $230,000.
• The applicant's relationship with a foreign national from Iran raised national security concerns due to the country's known risks.
• The applicant failed to provide sufficient evidence of efforts to resolve his financial issues or mitigate foreign influence concerns.

Conditions Referenced

Key Rule Quoted

“The protection of the national security is the paramount consideration.”

Procedural Posture

• SOR issuedSep 4, 2018
• Answer filedSep 24, 2018
• Hearing heldDec 6, 2018
• Decision dateFeb 12, 2019

Cite For

• Denial Based on Significant Financial Indebtedness Under Guideline F
• National Security Concerns Arising From Foreign Contacts Under Guideline B
• Failure to Demonstrate Sufficient Mitigation of Trustworthiness Concerns.