Summary
A 62-year-old male, who had held a security clearance since 1977, was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline F (Financial Considerations). The applicant faced allegations of multiple delinquent debts totaling approximately $156,000, including several federal tax liens from 2007, 2010, and 2015. Specific debts included a past-due car loan of $1,619 with a $19,490 balance, a credit card balance of $486 with $155 past due, a $96 delinquent medical account, and a $733 collection account, along with three other collection accounts totaling $1,700.
Further financial issues included a 2015 wage garnishment for unpaid state taxes and another for $39,840 for unpaid federal taxes. The applicant also failed to file and pay state property tax for 2014 and 2015, amounting to $300, and failed to file federal tax returns, which led to the various tax liens. Under Guideline E, the applicant was alleged to have provided incomplete and inaccurate information regarding his tax liens and delinquent accounts, and to have not reported any delinquent debts on his e-QIP.
While the applicant admitted to some allegations, he claimed oversight and lack of awareness for others. However, the judge found that he did not provide sufficient documentation to mitigate the security concerns, failed to demonstrate a good-faith effort to resolve the debts, and that his failure to disclose significant financial issues on his e-QIP was deliberate and material. Consequently, his security clearance was denied.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant did not provide sufficient documentation to mitigate security concerns for financial considerations and personal conduct.
- The applicant admitted to multiple delinquent debts and failed to demonstrate a good-faith effort to resolve them.
- The applicant's failure to disclose significant financial issues on his e-QIP was deemed deliberate and material.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(b)raisedUnwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedHistory of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 19(g)raisedFailure to File or Fraudulently Filing Annual Federal or State Taxes
- AG ¶ 16(a)raisedDeliberate Omission, Concealment, or Falsification of Relevant Facts
Key Rule Quoted
“A person who seeks access to classified information enters into a fiduciary relationship with the Government predicated upon trust and confidence.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedOct 11, 2016
- Answer filedNov 9, 2016
- Hearing held—Decided on the written record.
- Decision dateOct 23, 2017
Cite For
- Failure to Mitigate Financial Security Concerns Under Guideline F
- Deliberate Omission of Material Facts Under Guideline E
- Insufficient Evidence of Good-faith Efforts to Resolve Debts