Summary
A 24-year-old single mother, employed by a defense contractor, was denied a security clearance due to financial considerations under Guideline F. The applicant faced concerns stemming from ten delinquent debts totaling $8,419 and her failure to file federal and state tax returns for both 2012 and 2013.
Specific allegations included outstanding debts to a power company ($1,060), a medical account ($554), and two cable companies ($361 and $375). Additionally, the applicant had three judgments against her: one for $645 from 2011, another for $2,670 also from 2011, and a $214 judgment from 2014. A $101 debt was also noted.
Despite acknowledging her financial difficulties and expressing an intent to improve her situation, the applicant failed to provide any evidence of payments made toward her debts or proof of filing the outstanding tax returns. The absence of documentation to support claims of resolution or responsible financial actions ultimately led to the denial of her security clearance.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant admitted to ten delinquent debts totaling $8,419 and failed to file federal and state tax returns for 2012 and 2013.
- The applicant did not provide documentation to support her claims of resolving debts or filing tax returns.
- The applicant's financial issues were not mitigated by evidence of responsible actions or financial counseling.
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 ¶ 20(a)rejectedThe Behavior Happened so Long Ago, Was so Infrequent, or Occurred Under Such Circumstances That It Is Unlikely to RecurThe applicant's financial issues are ongoing and have not been resolved.
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedConditions That Resulted in the Behavior Were Largely Beyond the Person's ControlThe applicant did not demonstrate a nexus between her unemployment and her financial issues.
- AG ¶ 20(c)rejectedThe Person Has Received or Is Receiving Counseling for the ProblemThere is no evidence of financial counseling.
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedThe Individual Initiated a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors or Otherwise Resolve DebtsThe applicant did not provide evidence of payments or repayment plans.
Key Rule Quoted
“Any reasonable doubt about whether an applicant should be allowed access to sensitive information must be resolved in favor of protecting such information.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedDec 23, 2014
- Answer filedTimely
- Hearing heldN/AReview based on written record requested by applicant.
- Decision dateNov 15, 2015
Cite For
- Failure to File Tax Returns as a Disqualifying Condition Under Guideline F
- Ongoing Financial Issues Without Evidence of Resolution
- The Burden of Proof Rests on the Applicant to Mitigate Security Concerns.