Summary
A 54-year-old former background investigator was denied a security clearance under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) due to a pattern of dishonesty and integrity issues. The applicant's employment as a background investigator for a government contractor was suspended in August 2014 and terminated in September 2014, following concerns about her work quality, violations of company policy, and failure to adhere to OPM policies and procedures.
The denial stemmed from multiple instances of falsification. The applicant intentionally failed to report her August 2014 suspension and September 2014 termination for cause on her April 2016 Security Clearance Application (SCA). Additionally, she intentionally lied to investigators during background interviews in May and August 2018 regarding her termination. Further, the applicant falsified sworn responses to interrogatories in January 2020 concerning her employment history, whether she was the subject of an investigation for policy violations, and if she had certified or entered data in violation of policy.
The administrative judge found the applicant's testimony not credible and concluded that she failed to mitigate the security concerns. Her actions, including a lack of prompt, good-faith efforts to correct omissions or falsifications, raised significant security concerns, leading to the denial of eligibility for access to classified information.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant failed to mitigate security concerns under Guideline E due to a pattern of dishonesty.
- The applicant's testimony was found not credible, undermining her claims of innocence regarding her employment termination.
- The applicant did not make prompt, good-faith efforts to correct her omissions or falsifications during the security clearance investigation.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 16(a)appliedDeliberate Omission, Concealment, or Falsification of Relevant Facts
- AG ¶ 16(b)appliedDeliberately Providing False or Misleading Information
- AG ¶ 16(d)appliedCredible Adverse Information
Key Rule Quoted
“Conduct involving questionable judgment, lack of candor, dishonesty, or unwillingness to comply with rules and regulations can raise questions about an individual's reliability, trustworthiness and ability to protect classified or sensitive information.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedJun 29, 2022
- Answer filedJul 14, 2022
- Hearing heldFeb 23, 2023
- Decision dateMar 23, 2023
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Integrity Issues Under Guideline E
- Credibility of Applicant's Testimony as a Factor in Security Clearance Decisions
- Pattern of Dishonesty as a Disqualifying Condition for Security Clearance Eligibility