What would prevent someone from obtaining a Secret Clearance?

Question

I have a misdeameanor on my record from 15 years ago, my credit isn't the greatest and I owe $3000 to the IRS.

Would this stop me from getting a Secret Clearance?

A divorce and custody battle ruined my credit and caused me to file a faulty tax return.

I am paying back the IRS in monthly installments and will be paid off by next year.

Answer 1

I was in the National Guard in an MI Unit. They go back 5 years for a Secret Clearance, and 7 years for a top secret, and that is just the background check. There people go with a fine toothed comb through out your history and interviewing people from your past. When my clearance was done, they even went to Mexico to interview 2 of my aunts (I have 3 aunts and 3 uncles down there).

The misdemeanor might be overlooked, but something as having bad credit is an automatic red flag the the FBI and any other agent that are investigating you. I would suggest that you get the money you owe to the IRS taken care of ASAP, and write them an apology letter explaining what you did (the divorce and child custody battle ... just a simple 2 paragraphy letter would suffice not a long winded sob letter) and make sure they enter it into your file.

Why would they give anybody that owes $1,000 or in your case $3,000 to the IRS a Secret Clearance, the risk would be that you can go to the KGB (in my time) or Al Quiada (sp?) or any other terrorist organization and say you need help financially and they will really hook you up financially BUT you would be a traitor to the US and YES you can be executed for that.

Answer 2

I'm not possitive but there has to be more, something your not discussing, about the secret clearance, ask the F.B.I>C.I.A. if you can get their number, good luck!Why, would you need a secret clearance anyways, for something that is unlawfull, and why not make it good right if you are already in trouble with the law, right. My advice is stop and think before you do need a good Lawyer, and do you have any , bail monies hanging around your closet, possibly not, so get your head on straight, life is to short, there's to much you can be doing with your life than thinking about the easy way of it, you can't get life to serve you ,you make of the life that's granted to you. Nothing ever looks that good in other words always think before doing anything.

Answer 3

You sound like a poor candidate for a secret clearance. They check back to childhood, interview people who know you and also people who have employed you and look at risks such as likelihood you would take a bribe to get out of a financial predicament. I doubt you can get one and I am surprised that a potential employer didn't stop the interview process with a look at the credit report.

Answer 4

I think that credit history may be part of it, and owing a government agency most definately would make a difference as to your reliability and responsibility.

Answer 5

I am not sure about the finance part, something i'd like to know. but the legal part, they go back as far as 10 years. So you should be fine with the legal area.

Answer 6

No clearance for you, with that.