Summary
A married software engineer in his forties was denied a security clearance under Guideline F, Financial Considerations, due to a history of unresolved financial issues. The Statement of Reasons included a charged-off credit card account totaling approximately $6,300. Disqualifying conditions under Adjudicative Guideline (AG) ¶ 19(a) and AG ¶ 19(c) were raised.
While mitigating conditions AG ¶ 20(b), AG ¶ 20(c), and AG ¶ 20(d) were applied, they were insufficient to overcome the security concerns. The applicant failed to provide adequate evidence of financial reform. He has unresolved tax debts exceeding $30,000 and had not taken action to address them, despite earning a six-figure salary.
The applicant's financial difficulties date back to 2007 and persist to the present. Ultimately, the applicant did not meet the burden of persuasion, as he failed to present sufficient evidence to mitigate the security concerns raised by his financial circumstances, resulting in the denial of his security clearance.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant did not present sufficient evidence to mitigate security concerns raised by his financial circumstances.
- He has unresolved tax debts exceeding $30,000 and failed to take action to address them despite being employed with a six-figure salary.
- The applicant's history of financial issues dates back to 2007 and continues to the present day.
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 Control
- AG ¶ 20(c)appliedThe Person Has Received or Is Receiving Counseling for the Problem And/or There Are Clear Indications That the Problem Is Being Resolved or Is Under Control
- AG ¶ 20(d)appliedThe Individual Initiated a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors or Otherwise Resolve Debts
Key Rule Quoted
“A security clearance represents an obligation to the Federal Government for the protection of national secrets. Accordingly failure to honor other obligations to the Government has a direct bearing on an applicant’s reliability, trustworthiness, and ability to protect classified information.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedDec 31, 2015
- Answer filed—
- Hearing heldSep 27, 2016mutually agreed date
- Decision dateFeb 14, 2017
Cite For
- Insufficient Evidence of Financial Reform Under Guideline F
- Impact of Unresolved Tax Debts on Security Clearance Eligibility
- Burden of Persuasion Regarding Financial Obligations in Security Clearance Cases