Summary
A 72-year-old former federal employee was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline F (Financial Considerations). The denial stemmed from a long history of unpaid federal taxes and the applicant's failure to disclose tax liens and the outstanding tax debt on his security clearance application.
Specifically, the applicant owed federal income taxes for multiple years between 1993 and 2009, with the total federal debt alleged to be $122,600.25. Federal tax liens totaling $12,020 were filed in July and October 2006, and an unpaid state income tax lien of $2,314.34 also existed. The judge found that the applicant intentionally failed to disclose these tax liens and the unpaid federal taxes when completing his application in February 2010.
The denial was based on the applicant's inability to meet financial obligations, his deliberate lack of candor in the application process, and his failure to substantiate claims of being in a 'non-collectible' status. These issues collectively raised serious concerns about his reliability and trustworthiness.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant has a long history of unpaid federal taxes totaling over $122,000, indicating an inability to meet financial obligations.
- The applicant deliberately failed to disclose tax liens and unpaid taxes on his security clearance application, reflecting a lack of candor.
- The applicant's claims of being in a 'non-collectible' status were not substantiated with documentation, undermining his credibility.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 19(g)raisedFailure to File Annual Federal, State or Local Income Tax Returns as Required
- AG ¶ 16(a)raisedDeliberate Omission, Concealment, or Falsification of Relevant Facts
Key Rule Quoted
“A security clearance decision is intended only to resolve whether it is clearly consistent with the national interest for an applicant to either receive or continue to have access to classified information.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedAug 19, 2011
- Answer filedSep 19, 2011
- Hearing heldDec 8, 2011
- Decision dateJan 12, 2012
Cite For
- Failure to Disclose Financial Obligations Under Guideline E
- Long-standing Tax Delinquencies as a Basis for Denial Under Guideline F
- Lack of Candor in Security Clearance Applications Leading to Adverse Determinations