Summary
The applicant, a 46-year-old technician for a DOD contractor, faced security concerns under Guideline F due to significant financial issues, including two federal tax liens and 16 delinquent debts totaling approximately $115,000. The applicant failed to provide evidence of debt-resolution efforts or financial responsibility, leading to the denial of his security clearance application.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: two federal tax liens were filed against Applicant for $64,376 (1.a). two federal tax liens were filed against Applicant for $5,539 (1.b). Past-due rent (1.c). Medical collection (1.d). Credit card (1.e). Collection (1.f). Utility (1.g). Utility (1.h). Utility (1.i). Credit card (1.j). Utility (1.k). Medical collection (1.l). Collection (1.m). Utility (1.n). Overdrawn account (1.o). Utility (1.p). Repossessed vehicle (1.q). Collection (1.r).
The judge denied the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 19(a), AG ¶ 19(c), AG ¶ 19(f). The judge applied mitigating conditions AG ¶ 20(b), AG ¶ 20(c), AG ¶ 20(d). The decision turned on the following: The applicant did not provide documentary evidence of any debt-resolution efforts or payments regarding his federal tax liens and delinquent debts; The applicant's claims of filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy were unsupported by documentation, and he did not demonstrate financial responsibility or good faith efforts to resolve his debts.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant did not provide documentary evidence of any debt-resolution efforts or payments regarding his federal tax liens and delinquent debts.
- The applicant's claims of filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy were unsupported by documentation, and he did not demonstrate financial responsibility or good faith efforts to resolve his debts.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 19(f)raisedFailure to File or Fraudulently Filing Annual Federal, State, or Local Income Tax Returns
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedConditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person’s ControlThe applicant attributed his financial issues to poor financial decisions and his fiancée's unemployment but provided no evidence of debt-resolution efforts.
- AG ¶ 20(c)rejectedThe Individual Has Received or Is Receiving Counseling for the ProblemThere was no evidence that the applicant sought credit counseling.
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedThe Individual Initiated and Is Adhering to a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue CreditorsThe applicant did not provide evidence of adherence to a repayment plan or any debt-resolution efforts.
Key Rule Quoted
“Any doubt concerning personnel being considered for national security eligibility will be resolved in favor of the national security.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedApr 4, 2016
- Answer filedJun 17, 2016Applicant elected a decision on the written record.
- Hearing held—No hearing; decision made on the written record.
- Decision dateOct 13, 2017
Cite For
- Failure to Provide Evidence of Debt-resolution Efforts Under Guideline F
- Impact of Financial Irresponsibility on Security Clearance Eligibility
- Requirements for Demonstrating Good Faith Efforts to Resolve Debts