Summary
The applicant, a 53-year-old senior price analyst, faced security clearance denial under Guideline F due to unresolved financial obligations exceeding $36,000. Despite some payments made towards debts, the applicant failed to demonstrate sufficient progress in addressing significant tax liabilities and child support arrears, leading to concerns about reliability and trustworthiness.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: Medical account. $156 Paid (1.a). Medical account. $250 One payment of $100 made and two more payments are to be made (1.b). Cable bill. $201 Paid (1.c). Credit card account. $2,886 Applicant disputes this account information on his CBR (1.d). Child/Family support obligation. $11,770 Paying. As of Jan 2009 he owed $12,004 (1.e). Credit union debt. $3,401 Account charged off and reopened as item g (1.f). Credit union debt. $5,131 Unpaid (1.g). Collection account. $2,866 Applicant asserts this debt is the same debt as d (1.h). Store account. $1,167 Unpaid. Applicant is attempting to reach settlement on this debt (1.i). Federal Tax Lien August 2005. $6,864 Unpaid. As of June 2008, tax owed was $29,891 (1.j). Federal Tax Lien August 2005. $22,487 Unpaid (1.k). Federal Tax Lien May 2005. $32,229 Unpaid (1.l).
The judge denied the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 19(a), AG ¶ 19(c). The judge applied mitigating conditions AG ¶ 20(d), AG ¶ 20(c), AG ¶ 20(b). The decision turned on the following: Applicant has three unresolved past due obligations totaling in excess of $36,000; Applicant failed to rebut or mitigate the government’s security concerns under financial considerations; Applicant's financial problems raise questions about his reliability, trustworthiness, and ability to protect classified information.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- Applicant has three unresolved past due obligations totaling in excess of $36,000.
- Applicant failed to rebut or mitigate the government’s security concerns under financial considerations.
- Applicant's financial problems raise questions about his reliability, trustworthiness, and ability to protect classified information.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 20(d)appliedGood-faith Effort to Repay Overdue CreditorsApplicant has made payments on some debts.
- AG ¶ 20(c)rejectedReceived Counseling for the ProblemWhile Applicant received financial counseling, three debts totaling approximately $36,000 remain unpaid.
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedConditions Largely Beyond the Person's ControlWhile Applicant experienced significant life changes, he has not established a plan to address his tax liabilities.
Key Rule Quoted
“A person who seeks access to classified information enters into a fiduciary relationship with the government predicated upon trust and confidence.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedNov 19, 2008
- Answer filedDec 5, 2008
- Hearing heldMar 18, 2009
- Decision dateMay 20, 2009
Cite For
- Financial Obligations Impacting Security Clearance Eligibility
- Importance of Demonstrating Financial Responsibility
- Rebuttal of Financial Concerns Under Guideline F