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ISCR Case 18-02404 — CASE

Case record

ISCR Case 18-02404

A decided public DOHA case, shown for research — not advice or a prediction.

Case Profile
Decision Date2/6/2020
Statusdenied
LevelHEARING
TypeSTANDARD ISCR
Participants
Applicant Representation: Pro Se
Judge: Elizabeth M. Matchinski
Government Counsel: Andrea M. Corrales
Case Summary
The applicant in this case sought a security clearance but faced significant security concerns under Guideline F (financial considerations) and Guideline E (personal conduct). The Statement of Reasons (SOR) outlined issues including late income tax filings, over $50,000 in past-due taxes and debts, termination for cause from a Department of Defense (DOD) position in 2014, and lack of candor on security clearance applications submitted in December 2013 and June 2017.
The applicant admitted to failing to timely file federal and state income tax returns for the years specified and acknowledged owing delinquent taxes and judgment debts. He claimed he intended to establish payment arrangements for his federal taxes once employed. While he admitted to the allegations regarding his terminations, he contended that they were unjust and attributed his poor performance to inadequate training. He characterized his nondisclosure of tax issues on his applications as an oversight. However, he did not provide sufficient evidence to mitigate the concerns raised.
The administrative judge ruled against the applicant, concluding that he had not mitigated the security concerns. The judge noted the applicant's significant financial delinquencies, his history of employment terminations, and his lack of full disclosure on security clearance applications as factors that weighed heavily against granting eligibility for a security clearance. Consequently, the applicant's request for a security clearance was denied.
Guidelines Evaluated
- Guideline EPersonal Conduct · Against Applicant
- Guideline FFinancial Considerations · Against Applicant
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Case Headnote

ISCR Case No. 18-02404

deniedFeb 6, 2020· Hon. Elizabeth M. Matchinski· hearing

Summary

A 52-year-old unmarried male applicant was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline F (Financial Considerations). The denial stemmed from significant tax delinquencies and multiple debts exceeding $50,000, which the applicant failed to resolve.

Additionally, the applicant demonstrated a lack of candor in his security clearance applications. While he admitted to some allegations, he contested others without providing sufficient evidence to mitigate the concerns raised. This dishonesty, combined with his history of financial irresponsibility, led the judge to question his reliability and trustworthiness.

Ultimately, the judge concluded that the applicant's financial issues and personal conduct, specifically his lack of candor, presented serious doubts about his suitability for a security clearance. Consequently, the security clearance was denied.

Why the Applicant Was Denied

The applicant failed to resolve significant tax delinquencies and debts exceeding $50,000.
The applicant lacked candor in his security clearance applications, admitting to some allegations but contesting others without sufficient evidence to mitigate concerns.
The applicant's history of financial irresponsibility and dishonesty raised serious doubts about his reliability and trustworthiness.

Conditions Referenced

Disqualifying

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
AG ¶ 16(a)appliedDeliberate Omission, Concealment, or Falsification of Relevant Facts
AG ¶ 16(d)appliedCredible Adverse Information That Is Not Explicitly Covered Under Any Other Guideline

Key Rule Quoted

“A person who fails repeatedly to fulfill his or her obligations, such as filing tax returns when due, does not demonstrate the high degree of good judgment and reliability required of those granted access to classified information.”
— ISCR Case No. 18-01045 at 3 (App. Bd. May 14, 2019)

Procedural Posture

SOR issuedMar 29, 2019
Answer filedMay 11, 2019Incomplete response to SOR.
Hearing held—Decision based on written record.
Decision dateFeb 6, 2020

Cite For

Denial of Security Clearance Due to Unresolved Financial Issues Under Guideline F
Lack of Candor in Security Clearance Applications Under Guideline E
Impact of Financial Irresponsibility on Reliability and Trustworthiness Assessments

Editorial summary generated for research. Not legal advice; not a prediction. Verify against the full decision before relying on any quoted language.

Full decision

The complete, official text — footnotes and signatures included — is in the original PDF.