Summary
A 62-year-old defense contractor, formerly a government employee, was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline F (Financial Considerations). The applicant admitted to unauthorized use of government-issued credit cards and misrepresenting financial information on his security clearance application.
Specifically, the applicant used a Government travel card (GTC) for personal purchases from July 2012 to July 2013, leading to his retirement in November 2013 in lieu of termination. He also misused a Government charge card (GCC) for personal charges in October 1994, resulting in three months of administrative leave. Furthermore, the applicant misrepresented material facts on his security clearance application concerning the GTC misuse and the amount of debt listed in his 2012 Chapter 7 bankruptcy documents.
The judge found that the applicant failed to mitigate these concerns, which included unauthorized use of government credit cards and misrepresentation of financial liabilities on his application. Consequently, the security clearance was denied.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant admitted to unauthorized use of a government travel card for personal purchases from July 2012 to July 2013.
- The applicant retired in lieu of being fired due to misuse of the government travel card.
- The applicant misrepresented material facts on his security clearance application regarding his financial liabilities.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 16(c)raisedCredible Adverse Information in Several Adjudicative Areas
- AG ¶ 16(d)raisedCredible Adverse Information Not Explicitly Covered Under Any Other Guideline
- AG ¶ 16(a)raisedDeliberate Omission, Concealment, or Falsification of Relevant Facts
- AG ¶ 16(d)raisedDeliberately Providing False or Misleading Information
- AG ¶ 17(a)rejectedPrompt, Good-faith Efforts to Correct the OmissionThe applicant did not demonstrate prompt efforts to correct the misrepresentation.
- AG ¶ 17(b)rejectedFailure to Cooperate Caused by Improper AdviceThere was no evidence of improper advice affecting the applicant's actions.
- AG ¶ 17(c)rejectedMinor Offense or Infrequent Behavior Unlikely to RecurThe applicant's repeated misuse of government cards indicated a pattern of behavior.
- AG ¶ 17(d)rejectedAcknowledgment of Behavior and Positive Steps TakenThe applicant did not take sufficient steps to mitigate the concerns.
- AG ¶ 17(f)rejectedInformation Was Unsubstantiated or From Questionable SourcesThe applicant's claims lacked corroboration.
Key Rule Quoted
“The protection of the national security is the paramount consideration.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedSep 9, 2015
- Answer filedSep 29, 2015
- Hearing held—Decided on the written record.
- Decision dateJul 22, 2016
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Personal Conduct Violations Under Guideline E
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Financial Mismanagement Under Guideline F
- Failure to Mitigate Security Concerns Despite Claims of Financial Recovery and Misunderstanding of Card Usage Rules.