Summary
The applicant, a 50-year-old certified nursing assistant employed by a defense contractor, faced security clearance denial under Guideline F due to unresolved financial issues totaling over $48,000. Despite some admissions and partial payments, the applicant failed to demonstrate a consistent effort to resolve her debts, raising concerns about her reliability and trustworthiness.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: Applicant has a federal tax lien in the amount of $43,926, which remains unpaid (1.a). Applicant has a judgment obtained in February 2013 for $1,006, which remains unresolved (1.b). Applicant has a past-due credit card account with an unpaid balance of $597 that was charged off (1.c). Applicant has a clothing store charge account with an unpaid balance of $220 that was charged off (1.d). Applicant has two medical accounts with unpaid balances of $680 and $235 that were placed for collection (1.e). Applicant made a payment of $292 towards one of her medical accounts (1.f). Applicant has two medical accounts with unpaid balances of $434 and $276 that were placed for collection (1.g). Applicant has two medical accounts with unpaid balances of $254 and $100 that were placed for collection (1.h). Applicant has two medical accounts with unpaid balances of $680 and $235 that were placed for collection (1.i). Applicant has made some payments towards her delinquent accounts, but many remain unresolved (1.j).
The judge denied the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 19(a), AG ¶ 19(c), AG ¶ 19(f). The decision turned on the following: The applicant had ten delinquent accounts totaling $48,364, including a federal tax lien of $43,926; The applicant failed to provide sufficient evidence of a good-faith effort to resolve her debts; The applicant's financial issues were longstanding and unresolved, indicating a lack of responsibility.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant had ten delinquent accounts totaling $48,364, including a federal tax lien of $43,926.
- The applicant failed to provide sufficient evidence of a good-faith effort to resolve her debts.
- The applicant's financial issues were longstanding and unresolved, indicating a lack of responsibility.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)appliedInability to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)appliedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 19(f)appliedFailure to File or Fraudulently Filing Annual Federal, State, or Local Income Tax Returns or Failure to Pay Annual Federal, State, or Local Income Tax as Required
Key Rule Quoted
“Eligibility for a security clearance is denied.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedFeb 15, 2019
- Answer filedMay 3, 2019Applicant elected to have her case decided on the written record.
- Hearing held—Decision made based on written record.
- Decision dateAug 22, 2019
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Unresolved Financial Issues Under Guideline F
- Lack of Good-faith Effort to Resolve Debts as a Basis for Denial
- Importance of Demonstrating a Consistent Track Record of Financial Responsibility in Security Clearance Cases.