Summary
A 39-year-old security officer employed by a defense contractor was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline F (Financial Considerations). The applicant had a history of employment terminations under unfavorable circumstances and multiple unresolved financial debts.
Specifically, the applicant was terminated from a job in August 2007 for insubordination and rules violations, which he failed to disclose on his security clearance application. During a March 2009 interview with a security investigator, he falsely stated there were "no problems or issues" with that employer.
Financial concerns included a collection account for approximately $141, a child support arrearage of about $21,535, a credit card collection account for approximately $845, and a debt to the state for unemployment benefit overpayment totaling about $2,326. The judge found that the applicant's unresolved debts, false statements during the clearance process, and past unfavorable employment terminations collectively raised significant questions about his reliability and trustworthiness, leading to the denial of his security clearance.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant had multiple unresolved debts, indicating an inability or unwillingness to satisfy financial obligations.
- The applicant provided false or misleading information during the security clearance process, raising questions about his reliability and trustworthiness.
- The applicant's past employment terminations under unfavorable circumstances contributed to a whole-person assessment of questionable judgment.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 16(c)raisedCredible Adverse Information in Several Adjudicative Issue Areas
- AG ¶ 16(e)raisedPersonal Conduct Creating Vulnerability to Exploitation
- AG ¶ 17(b)raisedDeliberately Providing False or Misleading Information
- AG ¶ 20(d)appliedGood-faith Effort to Repay Overdue CreditorsThe applicant resolved some debts but not all.
- AG ¶ 20(e)rejectedReasonable Basis to Dispute the Legitimacy of the Past-due DebtThe applicant did not document a legitimate basis for disputing the bank debt.
- AG ¶ 20(a)rejectedBehavior Unlikely to RecurThe applicant has ongoing financial issues that are not resolved.
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedConditions Beyond the Person's ControlThe applicant did not demonstrate that his financial problems were beyond his control.
- AG ¶ 20(c)rejectedReceived or Receiving Counseling for the ProblemThe applicant has not sought or obtained financial counseling.
Key Rule Quoted
“Eligibility for a security clearance is predicated upon the applicant meeting the criteria contained in the AG.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedMay 28, 2010
- Answer filedJul 22, 2010
- Hearing heldSep 7, 2010
- Decision dateOct 29, 2010
Cite For
- Disqualifying Conditions Under Guidelines E and F
- Impact of Financial Issues on Security Clearance Eligibility
- Importance of Truthful Disclosures in Security Clearance Applications