Summary
A 32-year-old male applicant was denied a security clearance under Guideline F, Financial Considerations, due to a pattern of financial irresponsibility. The Statement of Reasons detailed several allegations, including the failure to file federal income tax returns for 2014 and 2016. Additionally, the applicant had multiple delinquent debts, specifically a medical account for $1,544, another medical account for $1,182, and a satellite television account for $543. The total amount of delinquent debts was approximately $19,424.
Disqualifying conditions under Guideline F were raised, citing paragraphs 19(a), 19(c), and 19(f). While mitigating conditions 20(a), 20(b), 20(d), and 20(g) were applied, they were not sufficient to overcome the concerns.
Despite some debts being resolved, the judge determined that the applicant's failure to file tax returns and the existence of multiple delinquent debts demonstrated a lack of reliability and trustworthiness. Consequently, the security clearance was denied.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant failed to file federal income tax returns for 2014 and 2016.
- The applicant had multiple delinquent debts totaling approximately $19,424.
- The applicant's financial irresponsibility raised significant concerns about reliability and trustworthiness.
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
- AG ¶ 20(a)rejectedThe Behavior Happened so Long Ago, Was so Infrequent, or Occurred Under Such Circumstances That It Is Unlikely to Recur and Does Not Cast Doubt on the Individual's Current Reliability, Trustworthiness, or Good JudgmentThe applicant's financial issues were ongoing and not infrequent.
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedThe Conditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person's ControlThe applicant did not establish that his financial issues were largely beyond his control.
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedThe Individual Initiated and Is Adhering to a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors or Otherwise Resolve DebtsThe applicant's actions did not demonstrate a good-faith effort to resolve debts.
- AG ¶ 20(g)rejectedThe Individual Has Made Arrangements with the Appropriate Tax Authority to File or Pay the Amount Owed and Is in Compliance with Those ArrangementsThe applicant failed to provide sufficient proof of filing tax returns or making arrangements with the IRS.
Key Rule Quoted
“A person who fails repeatedly to fulfill his or her legal obligations, such as filing income tax returns when due, does not demonstrate the high degree of good judgment and reliability required of those granted access to classified information.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedMay 24, 2019
- Answer filedJun 24, 2019
- Hearing held—Applicant requested a decision on the written record without a hearing.
- Decision dateJan 31, 2020
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Financial Irresponsibility Under Guideline F
- Failure to File Tax Returns as a Disqualifying Factor
- Pattern of Financial Issues Indicating Lack of Reliability and Trustworthiness