Summary
The applicant, a 43-year-old male with a history of military and government employment, faced security clearance denial under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline F (Financial Considerations) due to excessive indebtedness and failure to disclose debts on his security clearance application. The judge found that the applicant's financial issues were ongoing and not sufficiently mitigated, and that he intentionally omitted relevant financial information from his e-QIP, raising concerns about his reliability and trustworthiness.
Under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: Applicant failed to disclose his delinquent child-support, tax lien, and delinquent consumer accounts in Section 26 of his e-QIP (2.a). Applicant denied intentionally falsifying his e-QIP (2.b). delinquent on a child-support obligation in the amount of $153,852 (1.a). indebted on a charged-off account in the amount of $17,370 (1.b). indebted on a charged-off account in the amount of $7,878 (1.c). indebted on a collection account in the amount of $1,400 (1.d). indebted on a collection account in the amount of $529 (1.e). indebted on a state tax lien in the amount of $1,648 (1.f). indebted on a collection account in the amount of $10,542 (1.g). indebted on a collection account in the amount of $10,586 (1.h). indebted on a collection account in the amount of $22,133 (1.i). indebted on a collection account in the amount of $22,227 (1.j). indebted on a collection account in the amount of $2,753 (1.k).
The judge denied the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions F.1.a, F.1.c, E.2.a. The judge applied mitigating conditions F.2.b, F.2.d. The decision turned on the following: The applicant failed to mitigate security concerns related to excessive indebtedness totaling over $270,000; The applicant intentionally omitted relevant financial information from his e-QIP, indicating a lack of candor.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant failed to mitigate security concerns related to excessive indebtedness totaling over $270,000.
- The applicant intentionally omitted relevant financial information from his e-QIP, indicating a lack of candor.
Conditions Referenced
- F.1.araisedInability to Satisfy Debts
- F.1.craisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- E.2.araisedDeliberate Omission, Concealment, or Falsification of Relevant Facts
- F.2.brejectedConditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person's ControlWhile the applicant attributed his financial issues to his divorce, he failed to demonstrate responsible management of his debts.
- F.2.drejectedGood-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors or Resolve DebtsThe applicant's other debts remain unresolved, and he did not provide evidence of financial counseling.
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 issuedApr 20, 2017
- Answer filedMay 19, 2017
- Hearing heldJan 9, 2018
- Decision dateJun 27, 2018
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Excessive Indebtedness Under Guideline F
- Intentional Omission of Financial Obligations Under Guideline E
- Failure to Demonstrate Responsible Management of Debts as a Mitigating Factor