Summary
A 38-year-old security guard and emergency medical technician was denied a security clearance under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline F (Financial Considerations). The denial stemmed from multiple delinquent debts and the deliberate omission of prior arrests from his security clearance application.
Specifically, the applicant had medical debts in collection totaling $1,465, an account with a jeweler in collection for $3,728, and a telephone account in collection for $109. These financial issues were deemed to reflect poor judgment and a lack of responsibility. Furthermore, the applicant failed to disclose multiple arrests, which was considered a deliberate falsification of material facts, undermining his trustworthiness.
Although several mitigating conditions related to financial considerations were applied, the applicant did not provide sufficient evidence of a plan to address his financial obligations or mitigate the security concerns. Consequently, the judge found that the applicant's financial irresponsibility and lack of candor warranted the denial of his security clearance.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant had numerous delinquent debts, indicating an inability to manage finances responsibly.
- The applicant failed to disclose multiple arrests on his security clearance application, demonstrating a lack of candor.
- The applicant did not provide sufficient evidence of a plan to address his financial obligations or mitigate the security concerns.
Conditions Referenced
- FC DC AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- FC DC AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- PC DC AG ¶ 16(a)raisedDeliberate Omission, Concealment, or Falsification of Relevant and Material Facts
- FC MC AG ¶ 20(a)rejectedThe Behavior Happened so Long Ago, Was so Infrequent, or Occurred Under Such Circumstances That It Is Unlikely to RecurThe applicant's financial issues were recent and numerous.
- FC MC AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedConditions That Resulted in the Financial Problems Were Largely Beyond the Person’s ControlThe applicant did not demonstrate that his financial issues were beyond his control.
- FC MC AG ¶ 20(c)rejectedThe Person Has Received or Is Receiving Counseling for the ProblemThe applicant did not provide evidence of a plan or attempts to pay debts.
- FC MC AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedThe Individual Has Initiated a Good-faith Effort to Repay the Overdue Creditors or Otherwise Resolve DebtsThe applicant did not show evidence of a good-faith effort to repay debts.
Key Rule Quoted
“A person who seeks access to classified information enters into a fiduciary relationship with the government predicated upon trust and confidence.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedMay 27, 2009
- Answer filedJun 29, 2009Undated response received by DOHA.
- Hearing heldAug 20, 2009Applicant signed for the Notice of Hearing on August 8, 2009.
- Decision dateSep 21, 2009
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Financial Irresponsibility Under Guideline F
- Deliberate Omissions on Security Clearance Applications Under Guideline E
- Importance of Demonstrating a Plan to Address Financial Obligations for Mitigating Conditions.