Summary
A 40-year-old senior engineer was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline F (Financial Considerations). The judge determined the applicant deliberately falsified information on his security clearance applications and failed to resolve multiple outstanding debts, raising significant questions about his reliability and trustworthiness.
Under Guideline E, the applicant failed to truthfully disclose or admit to a November 1997 arrest and charge for marijuana possession, a 1999 charge for Simple Assault that resulted in anger management training, and his marijuana use from approximately 1999 to 2001. He also omitted information regarding drug or alcohol charges or convictions, and arrests for assault and domestic violence.
Regarding Guideline F, the applicant had several unresolved financial delinquencies. These included a debt of approximately $433 in collection as of January 2009, $205 for unpaid parking tickets as of July 2006, a $65 debt as of January 2009, and an approximately $9,432 debt as of April 2008. The applicant admitted to deliberately falsifying information and did not provide evidence of resolving his financial delinquencies or demonstrate good-faith efforts to correct omissions prior to being confronted.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant admitted to deliberately falsifying information on his security clearance applications regarding drug use and criminal history.
- The applicant failed to provide evidence of resolving his financial delinquencies, which included multiple unresolved debts.
- The applicant did not demonstrate good-faith efforts to correct omissions or address his financial issues before being confronted with the facts.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 16(a)appliedDeliberate Omission, Concealment, or Falsification of Relevant Facts
- AG ¶ 19(a)appliedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)appliedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
Key Rule Quoted
“The protection of the national security is the paramount consideration.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedApr 9, 2009
- Answer filedApr 24, 2009
- Hearing held—Applicant requested decision on the record without a hearing.
- Decision dateApr 8, 2010
Cite For
- Deliberate Falsification of Security Clearance Application Responses Under Guideline E
- Failure to Resolve Financial Delinquencies Under Guideline F
- Importance of Good-faith Efforts to Correct Omissions in Security Clearance Applications