Summary
A 46-year-old scientist was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline F (Financial Considerations). The applicant faced allegations of intentionally falsifying his SF 86 by omitting significant debts, including a federal tax lien and a delinquent mortgage. Additionally, he had a child-support obligation that was $13,622 past due with a $15,126 balance, and a debt to the U.S. Government for an overpayment of approximately $60,000.
The judge found that the applicant intentionally falsified his SF 86 by failing to report these unpaid taxes and the delinquent mortgage loan. This raised disqualifying conditions under AG ¶ 19(a) and AG ¶ 19(c) for personal conduct, and AG ¶ 16(a) for financial considerations.
Despite the application of mitigating conditions AG ¶ 20(a) through AG ¶ 20(e), the clearance was denied. The denial was based on the intentional falsification of the SF 86, the recent and ongoing nature of the applicant's financial issues, and his failure to provide sufficient evidence of responsible financial management or good-faith efforts to repay his debts.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant intentionally falsified his SF 86 by omitting unpaid taxes and a delinquent mortgage loan.
- The applicant's financial issues are recent and ongoing, raising doubts about his reliability and trustworthiness.
- The applicant failed to provide sufficient evidence of responsible financial management or good-faith efforts to repay debts.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)appliedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)appliedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 16(a)appliedDeliberate Omission, Concealment, or Falsification of Relevant Facts
- AG ¶ 20(a)rejectedBehavior Happened so Long Ago, Was Infrequent, or Occurred Under Circumstances Unlikely to Recur
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedConditions That Resulted in Financial Problems Were Largely Beyond the Person's Control
- AG ¶ 20(c)rejectedReceived or Is Receiving Counseling for the Problem
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedInitiated a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors
- AG ¶ 20(e)rejectedReasonable Basis to Dispute the Legitimacy of the Past-due Debt
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 issuedJan 9, 2015
- Answer filedFeb 24, 2016Applicant elected to have the case decided on the written record.
- Hearing held—No hearing; decided on written record.
- Decision dateMay 23, 2017
Cite For
- Intentional Falsification of Security Clearance Application Under Guideline E
- Ongoing Financial Issues Impacting Security Clearance Eligibility Under Guideline F
- Failure to Demonstrate Good-faith Efforts to Resolve Financial Obligations