Summary
The applicant, a 51-year-old college-educated individual with a history of military service, faced security clearance denial under Guideline F due to unresolved financial issues, including multiple tax liens and judgments. Despite some efforts to address his debts, the applicant failed to provide sufficient evidence of financial stability or responsible management of his obligations, leading to doubts about his reliability and trustworthiness.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: state tax lien entered 2014 for $1,385 (1.a). judgment ($158) that was filed in 2013 (1.b). judgment ($2,859) filed in 2012 for a delinquent timeshare account (1.c). debt for Applicant’s mortgage ($3,332) (1.d). credit card debt ($21,275) that was a judgment entered in July 2011 and was satisfied in January 2015 (1.e). delinquent line of credit ($24,000) (1.f). medical debt ($637) (1.g). medical debt ($366) (1.h). medical debt ($92) (1.i). medical debt ($55) (1.j). medical debt ($50) (1.k). state tax lien entered 2012 for $4,033 (1.l). judgment from state filed in 2011 for $2,898 (1.m). judgment owed to the federal government for $28,766 entered in 2010 (1.n). judgment from the state filed in 2010 for $9,555 (1.o). unpaid state taxes for tax year 2013 for $2,068 (1.p). medical judgment ($1,238) resolved through a garnishment in 2011 (1.q). medical debt ($387) (1.r).
The judge denied the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 19(a), AG ¶ 19(c). The judge applied mitigating conditions AG ¶ 20(b), AG ¶ 20(d). The decision turned on the following: Applicant has numerous unresolved delinquent debts, tax liens, and judgments; Insufficient evidence was provided to demonstrate financial stability or responsible management of debts; Recent financial issues cast doubt on the applicant's reliability and trustworthiness.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- Applicant has numerous unresolved delinquent debts, tax liens, and judgments.
- Insufficient evidence was provided to demonstrate financial stability or responsible management of debts.
- Recent financial issues cast doubt on the applicant's reliability and trustworthiness.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 20(b)appliedConditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person's ControlApplicant attributed financial problems to periods of unemployment and underemployment.
- AG ¶ 20(d)appliedGood-faith Effort to Repay Overdue CreditorsSome debts were resolved, and payments were made on federal tax debt.
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 issuedDec 12, 2015
- Answer filedJan 30, 2016Applicant elected to have the case decided on the written record.
- Hearing held—No hearing; case decided on the written record.
- Decision dateNov 9, 2016
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Unresolved Financial Obligations Under Guideline F
- Insufficient Evidence of Financial Stability Impacting Security Clearance Eligibility
- Application of Disqualifying Conditions Related to Financial Irresponsibility