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Summary

The applicant, a 34-year-old Technician II with a history of financial difficulties, was denied a security clearance due to over $23,000 in past-due debts and falsification of a government questionnaire regarding these debts. The administrative judge found that the applicant's financial issues and dishonesty raised serious concerns about his reliability and trustworthiness, leading to the denial of his security clearance.

Under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: Applicant was asked in Section 26 whether, in the past seven years, he had a judgment entered against him. Applicant answered this question, 'No.' This was a false answer to a relevant question concerning Applicant’s financial situation (2.a). Applicant answered both questions, 'No.' These were false answers to relevant questions about his financial status (2.b). Applicant admitted owing $5,121 for a past-due student loan debt. Applicant had not made any recent payments on this debt and did not have a plan to pay this debt in the near future. This debt is not resolved (1.a). Applicant admitted owing $3,578 for a second past-due student loan debt. Applicant had not made any recent payments on this debt and did not have a plan to pay this debt in the near future. This debt is not resolved (1.b). Applicant admitted owing a past-due debt to a cable company, however he denied owing $1,257. He stated that this debt was allegedly for equipment he had not returned, when in fact he had returned it. This debt is not resolved (1.c). Applicant admitted owing $1,012 for a past-due wireless telephone debt. Applicant had not made any recent payments on this debt and did not have a plan to pay this debt in the near future. This debt is not resolved (1.d). Applicant admitted owing $351 for a past-due debt to a credit union. Applicant had not made any recent payments on this debt and did not have a plan to pay this debt in the near future. This debt is not resolved (1.e). Applicant admitted owing $264 for a past-due telephone debt. Applicant had not made any recent payments on this debt and did not have a plan to pay this debt in the near future. This debt is not resolved (1.f). Applicant admitted owing $5,000 for a judgment entered against him in February 2011 for past-due home owners’ association fees. This debt is not resolved (1.g). Applicant admitted owing $235 for a past-due gym membership debt. Applicant had not made any recent payments on this debt and did not have a plan to pay this debt in the near future. This debt is not resolved (1.h). Applicant admitted owing $6,276 for a past-due bank credit card debt. Applicant had not made any recent payments on this debt and did not have a plan to pay this debt in the near future. This debt is not resolved (1.i).

The judge denied the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 19(a), AG ¶ 19(b), AG ¶ 19(c), AG ¶ 16(a). The decision turned on the following: The applicant had over $23,000 in past-due debts that he could not or would not resolve; The applicant falsified a government questionnaire regarding his financial situation, providing false answers about his debts and a judgment against him.

Why the Applicant Was Denied

• The applicant had over $23,000 in past-due debts that he could not or would not resolve.
• The applicant falsified a government questionnaire regarding his financial situation, providing false answers about his debts and a judgment against him.

Conditions Referenced

Key Rule Quoted

“A person who seeks access to classified information enters into a fiduciary relationship with the Government predicated upon trust and confidence.”

Procedural Posture

• SOR issuedOct 18, 2017
• Answer filedJan 9, 2018
• Hearing heldMay 1, 2018
• Decision dateMay 9, 2019

Cite For

• Significant Financial Issues Under Guideline F
• Falsification of Information Under Guideline E
• Trustworthiness Concerns Due to Financial Irresponsibility