Summary
A 33-year-old defense contractor was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline E (Personal Conduct), Guideline F (Financial Considerations), and Guideline J (Criminal Conduct). The denial stemmed from significant delinquent debts, intentional falsification of information on his security clearance application, and a history of criminal conduct.
Specifically, the applicant was found to have over $16,500 in delinquent debt across sixteen creditors, including personal and household expenses, loans, credit cards, medical services, utilities, and back child support. He attributed these issues to poor budgeting after separating from the Air Force in 2000 and claimed his former wife opened some accounts without his knowledge. While he stated his new job increased his salary and he developed a budget, the record showed no evidence of mitigation or prompt, good faith efforts to repay his debts.
Furthermore, the applicant intentionally provided false answers on his Electronic Questionnaire for Investigations Processing dated January 27, 2006. He failed to disclose two arrests in 2002 for Contempt of Court related to child support, marijuana use in February 2000, a car repossession in early 2002, and being over 180 days delinquent on fourteen of seventeen debts. These deliberate omissions, which he admitted were "wrong," constituted a violation of federal law (Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001). The judge concluded that the applicant's conduct demonstrated poor judgment, unreliability, and untrustworthiness, making it inconsistent with national interests to grant a security clearance.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant has over $16,500 in delinquent debt and has not demonstrated financial responsibility.
- The applicant intentionally falsified material information on his security clearance application, violating federal law.
- The applicant's history of criminal conduct raises significant concerns about his judgment and trustworthiness.
Conditions Referenced
- 19(a)appliedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- 19(c)appliedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- 16(a)appliedThe Deliberate Omission, Concealment, or Falsification of Relevant and Material Facts
- 31(a)appliedA Single Serious Crime or Multiple Lesser Offenses
- 31(c)appliedAllegation or Admission of Criminal Conduct
Key Rule Quoted
“The adjudicative process is an examination of a sufficient period of a person’s life to make an affirmative determination that the person is an acceptable security risk.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedApr 9, 2008
- Answer filedSep 30, 2008Applicant elected to have the case determined on a written record.
- Hearing held—No hearing; case determined on written record.
- Decision dateMar 30, 2009
Cite For
- Financial Irresponsibility as a Disqualifying Factor Under Guideline F
- Intentional Falsification of Information Under Guideline E
- Criminal Conduct as a Disqualifying Factor Under Guideline J