Summary
A 62-year-old U.S. citizen and Arab linguist was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline B (Foreign Influence), Guideline E (Personal Conduct), and Guideline F (Financial Considerations).
While the applicant's limited ties to Lebanon, specifically having a brother and sister-in-law who are Lebanese citizens and residents, were mitigated, significant issues remained. The applicant had 13 delinquent financial accounts, either charged off or in collections, totaling approximately $146,775. Furthermore, it was found that the applicant deliberately falsified material facts in prior security questionnaires and interviews, and failed to disclose these financial delinquencies in his July 2017 Security Clearance Application.
The denial was based on the applicant's substantial financial delinquencies, his deliberate falsification of information in security questionnaires, and his failure to take responsible action to resolve his debts prior to receiving the Statement of Reasons. Consequently, his eligibility for access to classified information was denied.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant had significant financial delinquencies totaling approximately $146,775.
- The applicant deliberately falsified information in security questionnaires and interviews.
- The applicant failed to take responsible action to resolve his debts before receiving the Statement of Reasons.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(b)raisedUnwillingness to Satisfy Debts Regardless of the Ability to Do So
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedHistory of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 16(a)raisedDeliberate Omission, Concealment, or Falsification of Relevant Facts
- AG ¶ 16(b)raisedDeliberately Providing False or Misleading Information
- AG ¶ 20(a)rejectedBehavior Happened so Long Ago, Was Infrequent, or Occurred Under Circumstances Unlikely to Recur
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedConditions That Resulted in Financial Problems Were Largely Beyond the Person's Control
- AG ¶ 20(c)rejectedReceived or Is Receiving Financial Counseling
- AG ¶ 8(a)appliedNature of Relationships with Foreign Persons Unlikely to Create Conflict of Interest
- AG ¶ 8(b)appliedNo Conflict of Interest Due to Deep and Longstanding Relationships in the U.S.
Key Rule Quoted
“[N]o one has a ‘right’ to a security clearance.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedJan 9, 2019
- Answer filedFeb 7, 2019
- Hearing heldSep 10, 2019
- Decision dateFeb 7, 2020
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Significant Financial Delinquencies
- Deliberate Falsification of Information in Security Questionnaires
- Mitigation of Foreign Influence Concerns Under Guideline B