Summary
A 32-year-old federal contractor was denied eligibility for access to sensitive information due to concerns under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline F (Financial Considerations). The applicant had significant delinquent debts, including student loans from 2011 and 2012 on which no payments were ever made, and two judgments entered in 2010 for $862 and in 2014 for $4,291.
A primary concern was the applicant's failure to disclose any financial problems in Section 26 of her public trust application. The judge found the applicant's explanations for both her financial issues and these omissions to be not credible.
Ultimately, the denial was based on the applicant's admission of substantial delinquent debts and the failure to disclose them. The applicant did not provide credible evidence of good-faith efforts to resolve her financial problems or to correct the omissions prior to being confronted by the government.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant admitted to having significant delinquent debts and failed to disclose them on her public trust application.
- The applicant's explanations for her financial issues and omissions were deemed not credible by the judge.
- The applicant did not demonstrate any good-faith efforts to resolve her financial problems or to correct her omissions before being confronted by the government.
Conditions Referenced
- F1raisedInability to Satisfy Debts
- F3raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- E2raisedDeliberate Omission, Concealment, or Falsification of Relevant Facts
- F2rejectedConditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person's ControlWhile the applicant faced underemployment and lack of medical insurance, she did not act responsibly to address her debts.
- F3rejectedThe Individual Has Received or Is Receiving Financial CounselingThe applicant did not provide evidence of seeking financial counseling or taking steps to resolve her debts.
- E1rejectedPrompt, Good-faith Efforts to Correct the OmissionThe applicant did not make prompt efforts to correct her omissions before being confronted.
Key Rule Quoted
“A person who seeks access to sensitive information enters into a fiduciary relationship with the Government predicated upon trust and confidence.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedAug 23, 2017
- Answer filedApr 23, 2018
- Hearing heldAug 16, 2018
- Decision dateNov 26, 2018
Cite For
- Failure to Disclose Financial Issues on Security Clearance Applications Under Guideline E
- Inability to Mitigate Financial Considerations Under Guideline F
- Credibility Determinations Regarding Applicant's Explanations for Financial Conduct