Summary
A 41-year-old federal contractor was denied a security clearance under Guidelines E (Personal Conduct) and F (Financial Considerations) due to significant delinquent debts and a deliberate omission on his security clearance application.
The applicant owed over $66,000 in delinquent child support as of January 2008, when he applied for the clearance. Additionally, he had state tax liens totaling more than $3,700 for unemployment compensation overpayments, filed in 2003 and 2007. On his security clearance application, the applicant denied having any delinquent debt, which was identified as a deliberate omission, concealment, or falsification of relevant facts.
Despite some repayment efforts through garnishment, the judge found that the applicant failed to demonstrate a knowledgeable grasp of his financial circumstances or provide evidence of financial counseling. Consequently, insufficient evidence was presented to mitigate the security concerns related to his financial management and personal conduct, leading to the denial of his security clearance.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- Applicant owed over $66,000 in delinquent child support and had state tax liens totaling over $3,700.
- He denied any delinquent debt on his security clearance application, which was deemed a deliberate omission.
- The applicant failed to demonstrate a knowledgeable grasp of his financial circumstances or provide evidence of financial counseling.
Conditions Referenced
- F.19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- F.19(c)raisedA History 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 or Is Receiving Counseling for the Problem
- F.20(d)rejectedInitiated a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors
- F.20(e)rejectedReasonable Basis to Dispute the Legitimacy of the Past-due Debt
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 issuedNov 14, 2008
- Answer filedDec 12, 2008Requested determination without a hearing.
- Hearing heldMar 10, 2009
- Decision dateApr 9, 2009
Cite For
- Delinquent Child Support Obligations Under Guideline F
- Deliberate Omission of Financial Obligations on Security Clearance Application Under Guideline E
- Insufficient Evidence of Financial Responsibility and Mitigation Efforts.