Summary
The applicant, a 59-year-old with a high school diploma and technical training, faced security clearance denial under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline F (Financial Considerations) due to several hundred thousand dollars in unresolved tax debt and a deliberate failure to disclose a federal tax lien on his security clearance application. The judge found that the applicant did not provide mitigating evidence for his financial issues or his lack of candor, leading to a denial of eligibility for access to classified information.
Under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: Deliberate omission, concealment, or falsification of relevant facts from any personnel security questionnaire, personal history statement, or similar form used to conduct investigations (2.a). unreleased federal tax lien for $611,000, filed in December 2008 (1.a). unreleased state tax lien for $133,000 (1.b). two small medical debts in collection for $300 (1.c). small past-due insurance debt for $145 (1.d). small medical debt in collection for $108 (1.e).
The judge denied the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 19(a), AG ¶ 19(c), AG ¶ 16(a). The decision turned on the following: The applicant has several hundred thousand dollars in unresolved tax debt, including a federal tax lien that he failed to disclose on his security clearance application; The applicant admitted to the allegations without providing mitigating evidence or explanations for his financial situation and personal conduct.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant has several hundred thousand dollars in unresolved tax debt, including a federal tax lien that he failed to disclose on his security clearance application.
- The applicant admitted to the allegations without providing mitigating evidence or explanations for his financial situation and personal conduct.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)appliedInability to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)appliedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 16(a)appliedDeliberate Omission, Concealment, or Falsification of Relevant Facts
Key Rule Quoted
“No one has a right to a security clearance.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedDec 15, 2017
- Answer filedJan 27, 2018Applicant elected to proceed without a hearing.
- Hearing held—Decided on the written record.
- Decision dateAug 29, 2018
Cite For
- Failure to Disclose Federal Tax Debt Under Guideline E
- Unresolved Financial Obligations Under Guideline F
- Lack of Mitigating Evidence for Financial Issues and Personal Conduct