Summary
The applicant, a 58-year-old Information Technology Specialist with a Master's degree, faced security clearance denial under Guideline F due to significant financial issues, including approximately $40,000 in delinquent debts and failure to file tax returns. The judge found that the applicant's financial irresponsibility demonstrated poor judgment and unreliability, which raised concerns about his ability to safeguard classified information.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: failed to file his federal income tax returns for tax years 2005 through 2012 as required (1.a). failed to file his federal income tax returns for tax years 2005 through 2012 as required (1.b). failed to file his federal income tax returns for tax years 2005 through 2012 as required (1.c). indebted to the IRS for tax liens entered against him in the following years: 1997 in the approximate amount of $21,536 (1.d). indebted to the IRS for tax liens entered against him in the following years: $9,749 for tax year 2004 (1.e). indebted to the IRS for tax liens entered against him in the following years: $4,102 for tax year 2005 (1.f). indebted to the IRS for tax liens entered against him in the following years: $2,268 for tax year 2006 (1.g). owes delinquent taxes to the state in the approximate amount of $27,946 for tax years 1996 through 1999, 2006, 2007 and 2010 (1.h). owes delinquent taxes to the state in the approximate amount of $27,946 for tax years 1996 through 1999, 2006, 2007 and 2010 (1.i). delinquent debt owed to a creditor that was placed for collection in the approximate amount of $3,873 (1.j). medical bills set forth in 1.k., 1.l., 1.m., 1.n., and 1.o., are someone else’s debts (1.k). medical bills set forth in 1.k., 1.l., 1.m., 1.n., and 1.o., are someone else’s debts (1.l). medical bills set forth in 1.k., 1.l., 1.m., 1.n., and 1.o., are someone else’s debts (1.m). medical bills set forth in 1.k., 1.l., 1.m., 1.n., and 1.o., are someone else’s debts (1.n). medical bills set forth in 1.k., 1.l., 1.m., 1.n., and 1.o., are someone else’s debts (1.o).
The judge denied the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions 19.(a), 19.(c), 19.(g). The decision turned on the following: The applicant has a history of financial irresponsibility, including failure to file tax returns and significant delinquent debts; The applicant's financial situation indicates poor judgment and unreliability, raising concerns about his trustworthiness; The applicant did not demonstrate a good-faith effort to resolve his financial obligations.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant has a history of financial irresponsibility, including failure to file tax returns and significant delinquent debts.
- The applicant's financial situation indicates poor judgment and unreliability, raising concerns about his trustworthiness.
- The applicant did not demonstrate a good-faith effort to resolve his financial obligations.
Conditions Referenced
- 19.(a)appliedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- 19.(c)appliedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- 19.(g)appliedFailure to File Annual Federal, State, or Local Income Tax Returns as Required
Key Rule Quoted
“Failure or inability to live within one’s means, satisfy debts, and meet financial obligations may indicate poor self-control, lack of judgment, or unwillingness to abide by rules and regulations, all of which can raise questions about an individual’s reliability, trustworthiness and ability to protect classified information.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedMar 18, 2016
- Answer filedApr 12, 2016
- Hearing heldJul 8, 2016
- Decision dateOct 18, 2016
Cite For
- Financial Irresponsibility as a Disqualifying Factor Under Guideline F
- The Importance of Demonstrating Good Faith Efforts to Resolve Financial Obligations
- The Impact of Financial Issues on Trustworthiness and Reliability in Security Clearance Determinations.