Summary
Darlene D. Lokey Anderson, an Administrative Judge, denied a security clearance application for a 63-year-old engineer due to concerns under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline F (Financial Considerations). The applicant accumulated over $63,000 in debt and failed to provide a truthful account of his financial situation on his security clearance application, which raised questions about his reliability and trustworthiness.
Specifically, the applicant was indebted for an account charged off at approximately $63,004, a delinquent medical account of about $731, and another delinquent medical account placed for collection at $110, with no evidence of payment for any of these debts. He also filed for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in 2001, which was dismissed in May 2002. A key concern was the deliberate falsification of his security clearance application regarding his finances; the judge noted that any technical issues with the electronic questionnaire should have been reported to his security department.
The denial was based on the applicant's accumulation of significant debt without disclosure and his provision of false answers regarding his financial history. No mitigating factors were presented, including a lack of current financial status information or character references, leading to the denial of his security clearance.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- Applicant accumulated over $63,000 in debt without listing it on his security clearance application.
- Applicant provided false answers regarding his financial history on the application.
- No evidence of mitigation was presented, including no current financial status or character references.
Conditions Referenced
- F.19.araisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- F.19.braisedUnwillingness to Satisfy Debt Regardless of the Ability to Do So
- F.19.craisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- E.16.araisedDeliberate Omission, Concealment, or Falsification of Relevant Facts
Key Rule Quoted
“Failure 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 or sensitive information.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedJan 6, 2017
- Answer filedMar 23, 2017Applicant requested a decision on the written record.
- Hearing held—No hearing; decision made on the written record.
- Decision dateNov 17, 2017
Cite For
- Financial Irresponsibility Under Guideline F
- Dishonesty in Security Clearance Applications Under Guideline E
- Lack of Mitigating Evidence in Financial and Personal Conduct Cases