Summary
The applicant, a 40-year-old software engineer and former U.S. Army service member, faced security clearance denial under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline F (Financial Considerations) due to a lack of financial responsibility and deliberate falsification of her security clearance application. The judge found that the applicant had unresolved debts totaling approximately $48,000 and failed to disclose significant financial issues on her application, which undermined her trustworthiness and reliability.
Under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: Applicant deliberately falsified material facts on her September 2008 security clearance application when she failed to disclose the debts and judgments alleged in the SOR (2.a). $690 judgment filed against Applicant for unpaid rent (1.a). $29 delinquent debt to a utility company (1.b). $17,800 total for four student loans from 1999-2002 (1.c). $627 unresolved debt (1.g). $690 judgment filed against Applicant for unpaid rent (1.h). $674 judgment filed against Applicant for unpaid rent (1.i). $1,030 delinquent credit card debt now in collection (1.k). $2,193 unresolved debt (1.l). $190 state tax lien filed against her (1.m). $2,091 unresolved credit card debt (1.n). $1,517 unresolved credit card debt (1.o). $20,262 collection resulting from Applicant’s repossessed truck (1.p). $571 collection for cable TV services (1.q).
The judge denied the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 16(a), AG ¶ 16(e), AG ¶ 19(a), AG ¶ 19(c). The decision turned on the following: Applicant lacks a track record of financial responsibility; Applicant deliberately falsified her security clearance application by omitting significant debts and judgments; The applicant's explanations for her financial issues were not credible and did not mitigate the concerns raised.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- Applicant lacks a track record of financial responsibility.
- Applicant deliberately falsified her security clearance application by omitting significant debts and judgments.
- The applicant's explanations for her financial issues were not credible and did not mitigate the concerns raised.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 16(a)appliedDeliberate Omission, Concealment, or Falsification of Relevant Facts
- AG ¶ 16(e)appliedPersonal Conduct or Concealment of Information That Creates Vulnerability
- AG ¶ 19(a)appliedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)appliedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
Key Rule Quoted
“Any doubt concerning personnel being considered for access to classified information will be resolved in favor of national security.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedJan 6, 2010
- Answer filedJan 28, 2010
- Hearing heldApr 15, 2010
- Decision dateJun 30, 2010
Cite For
- Deliberate Falsification of Security Clearance Application Under Guideline E
- Financial Irresponsibility as a Disqualifying Factor Under Guideline F
- Credibility of Applicant's Explanations for Financial Issues in Security Clearance Cases