Case headnote
ISCR Case No. 24-02161
deniedNov 20, 2025· Hon. LeRoy F. Foreman· hearing
Synopsis
The applicant, a 46-year-old designer employed by a defense contractor, faced security concerns under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline F (Financial Considerations) due to multiple terminations from previous jobs and significant tax debts. The judge found that the applicant's financial irresponsibility and pattern of rule violations raised doubts about his reliability and trustworthiness, leading to a denial of his security clearance application.
Why the applicant was denied
- The applicant admitted to failing to pay federal and state income taxes for multiple years, resulting in significant tax debts.
- The applicant's employment history included eight terminations for safety violations and policy breaches, indicating a pattern of poor judgment and disregard for rules.
Conditions referenced
Disqualifying
- 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 or Failure to Pay Annual Federal, State, or Local Income Tax as Required
- AG ¶ 16(d)raisedCredible Adverse Information That Is Not Explicitly Covered Under Any Other Guideline
Mitigating
- AG ¶ 20(a)rejectedThe Behavior Happened so Long Ago, Was so Infrequent, or Occurred Under Such Circumstances That It Is Unlikely to RecurThe applicant's delinquent debts are numerous and accrued over a long period.
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedConditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person's ControlThe applicant did not provide evidence that his financial issues were due to circumstances beyond his control.
- AG ¶ 20(c)rejectedThe Individual Has Received or Is Receiving Financial CounselingThe applicant did not obtain financial counseling and provided insufficient evidence of resolution.
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedThe Individual Initiated and Is Adhering to a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue CreditorsThe applicant did not provide evidence of actual compliance with payment arrangements.
- AG ¶ 20(g)rejectedThe Individual Has Made Arrangements with the Appropriate Tax Authority to File or Pay the Amount OwedThe applicant's tax debts remain delinquent and no formal agreements were established.
- AG ¶ 17(c)rejectedThe Offense Is so Minor, or so Much Time Has Passed, or the Behavior Is so InfrequentThe applicant's offenses are of a similar nature and indicate he has not learned from his past.
- AG ¶ 17(d)rejectedThe Individual Has Acknowledged the Behavior and Obtained CounselingThe applicant has not taken sufficient positive steps to change his behavior.
Key rule quoted
“Eligibility for a security clearance is predicated upon the applicant meeting the criteria contained in the adjudicative guidelines.”
Procedural posture
- SOR issuedMar 26, 2025
- Answer filedMay 9, 2025Requested decision on the written record.
- Hearing held—No hearing; decision made on the written record.
- Decision dateNov 13, 2025Decision delayed due to federal government shutdown.
Cite for
- Denial Based on Significant Financial Irresponsibility Under Guideline F
- Pattern of Employment Terminations Indicating Questionable Judgment Under Guideline E
- Insufficient Evidence of Mitigating Conditions for Financial and Personal Conduct Issues
Editorial summary generated for research. Not legal advice; not a prediction. Verify against the full decision before relying on any quoted language.