Summary
The applicant, a 42-year-old federal contractor, faced security concerns under Guideline F due to significant unresolved financial issues, including delinquent debts totaling approximately $53,340 and failure to file tax returns from 2009 to 2012. The judge found that the applicant did not provide sufficient evidence to mitigate these concerns, leading to a denial of his security clearance.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: student loan collection debt $26,029 (1.a). credit card collection debts $446 (1.b). credit card collection debts $1,105 (1.c). three medical collection accounts $594 (1.d). three medical collection accounts $164 (1.e). three medical collection accounts $136 (1.f). three collection accounts $42 (1.g). three collection accounts $170 (1.h). three collection accounts $170 (1.i). child support collection debt $24,484 (1.j). failure to file federal income tax returns (2009-2011) (1.k). failure to file state tax returns (2009-2012) (1.l).
The judge denied the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions F.1.a, F.1.c, F.1.g. The judge applied mitigating conditions F.2.b, F.2.a, F.2.c, F.2.d, F.2.e. The decision turned on the following: The applicant has unresolved delinquent debts totaling approximately $53,340; The applicant failed to file federal and state income tax returns for years 2009 through 2012; The applicant did not provide documentation to support claims of payments or financial counseling.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant has unresolved delinquent debts totaling approximately $53,340.
- The applicant failed to file federal and state income tax returns for years 2009 through 2012.
- The applicant did not provide documentation to support claims of payments or financial counseling.
Conditions Referenced
- F.1.araisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- F.1.craisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- F.1.graisedFailure to File Annual Federal, State, or Local Income Tax Returns as Required
- F.2.bappliedConditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person's ControlThe applicant claimed financial difficulties were due to divorces and limited employment opportunities.
- F.2.arejectedThe Behavior Happened so Long Ago, Was so Infrequent, or Occurred Under Such Circumstances That It Is Unlikely to Recur
- F.2.crejectedThe Person Has Received or Is Receiving Counseling for the Problem
- F.2.drejectedThe Individual Initiated a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors or Otherwise Resolve Debts
- F.2.erejectedThe Individual Has a Reasonable Basis to Dispute the Legitimacy of the Past-due Debts
Key Rule Quoted
“Any doubt concerning personnel being considered for access to classified information will be resolved in favor of national security.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedApr 24, 2015
- Answer filedJul 6, 2015
- Hearing held—Decided on the written record.
- Decision dateJan 12, 2016
Cite For
- Failure to Mitigate Financial Considerations Under Guideline F
- Impact of Unresolved Debts on Security Clearance Eligibility
- Importance of Documentation in Financial Claims for Security Clearance Cases