Summary
A 47-year-old applicant with bachelor's and master's degrees was denied a security clearance under Guideline F (Financial Considerations) due to unresolved financial issues. The Statement of Reasons detailed multiple tax liens, including a state tax lien from 2006 for $606, and federal tax liens from 2008 for $5,275 and 2012 for $7,882.
Additional allegations included a 2013 judgment for delinquent medical accounts totaling $1,380, a past-due mortgage payment of $1,708, and a $385 car note that led to repossession. The applicant also had a $176 title loan debt, two collection accounts from July 2015 for delinquent cable bills totaling $340 and $339, and four unspecified debts amounting to $338, $313, $1,747, and $103.
Despite some debts being resolved, the denial was based on the applicant's numerous unresolved delinquent debts and tax liens dating back to at least 2008. The applicant failed to demonstrate responsible actions to address these obligations, and her ongoing, insufficiently managed financial problems raised doubts about her reliability and judgment. Disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 19(a) and AG ¶ 19(c) were raised, while mitigating conditions AG ¶ 20(b) and AG ¶ 20(d) were applied.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- Applicant has numerous unresolved delinquent debts and tax liens dating back to at least 2008.
- Applicant failed to demonstrate responsible actions to address her financial obligations, including tax liens and medical debts.
- The applicant's financial problems are ongoing and insufficiently managed, raising doubts about her reliability and judgment.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)appliedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)appliedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 20(b)appliedConditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person's ControlApplicant's husband is unemployed and she paid her son's tuition when he lost funding.
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedGood-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors or Resolve DebtsApplicant did not provide a reasonable plan for resolving her remaining delinquent debts.
Key Rule Quoted
“Failure or inability to live within one’s means, satisfy debts, and meet financial obligations may indicate poor self-control, lack of judgment, or unwillingness to abide by rules and regulations, all of which can raise questions about an individual’s reliability, trustworthiness and ability to protect classified information.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedNov 2, 2015
- Answer filedNov 30, 2015
- Hearing heldMar 3, 2016
- Decision dateApr 27, 2016
Cite For
- Unresolved Financial Obligations Under Guideline F
- Impact of Financial Irresponsibility on Security Clearance Eligibility
- Consideration of the Whole-person Concept in Financial Cases