Summary
A 44-year-old defense contractor was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline F (Financial Considerations). The applicant had substantial delinquent debts totaling over $36,000, including multiple state and federal tax debts, a significant credit card balance of $14,746, a $3,920 medical bill, and various other smaller debts.
Additionally, the applicant deliberately falsified his 2006 SF 86 by denying marijuana use between October 2002 and November 2006. This false statement, coupled with a 21-year history of significant drug use, raised serious concerns about his candor, judgment, and willingness to follow rules and regulations.
Despite the applicant's efforts to address his financial issues and a history of substance abuse recovery, the judge found insufficient evidence to mitigate the concerns. The decision concluded that the applicant could not afford to repay his substantial debts and that his falsification of information regarding drug use on his application established significant concerns, leading to the denial of his security clearance.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant has substantial delinquent debt totaling over $36,000 that he cannot afford to repay.
- He falsified information regarding his drug use on his security clearance application, which raised significant concerns about his candor and judgment.
Conditions Referenced
- F.19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- F.19(c)raisedHistory of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- E.16(a)raisedDeliberate Omission, Concealment, or Falsification of Relevant Facts
- F.20(a)rejectedBehavior Happened so Long Ago, Was so Infrequent, or Occurred Under Such Circumstances That It Is Unlikely to Recur
- F.20(b)rejectedConditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person's Control
- F.20(c)rejectedReceived Counseling for the Problem And/or There Are Clear Indications That the Problem Is Being Resolved or Is Under Control
- F.20(d)rejectedInitiated a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors or Otherwise Resolve Debts
- F.20(e)rejectedReasonable Basis to Dispute the Legitimacy of the Past-due Debt
- E.17(a)appliedPrompt, Good-faith Efforts to Correct the Omission, Concealment, or Falsification
Key Rule Quoted
“Any doubt concerning personnel being considered for access to classified information will be resolved in favor of the national security.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedJan 17, 2008
- Answer filedFeb 12, 2008
- Hearing heldMar 26, 2008
- Decision dateMay 30, 2008
Cite For
- Substantial Delinquent Debt as a Disqualifying Factor Under Guideline F
- Falsification of Information on Security Clearance Applications Under Guideline E
- Insufficient Mitigation of Financial Issues Due to Ongoing Circumstances and Lack of Proactive Measures