Summary
The applicant, a 39-year-old former U.S. Navy petty officer, faced security clearance denial under Guidelines E (Personal Conduct) and F (Financial Considerations) due to significant delinquent debts totaling approximately $37,780 and a lack of candor in his security clearance application. The judge found that the applicant failed to take meaningful action to resolve his debts and provided an implausible explanation for his omissions, leading to a conclusion that he did not meet the necessary trustworthiness standards for access to classified information.
Under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: Applicant falsified his security clearance application by omitting relevant debts (2.a). The $2,836 debt alleged in SOR ¶ 1.a was placed for collection in April 2007 (1.a). The $427 debt in SOR ¶ 1.b was a joint cell phone account (1.b). The $140 debt in SOR ¶ 1.c was for an unreturned cable box (1.c). The $12,945 debt in SOR ¶ 1.d was a loan cosigned by Applicant and his ex-wife (1.d). The $5,876 debt in SOR ¶ 1.e was a loan cosigned by Applicant and his ex-wife (1.e). The $15,556 debt in SOR ¶ 1.f was a loan cosigned by Applicant and his ex-wife (1.f).
The judge denied the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 19(a), AG ¶ 19(c), AG ¶ 16(a). The decision turned on the following: Applicant admitted to having multiple delinquent debts totaling approximately $37,780; Applicant provided an implausible explanation for omitting debts on his security clearance application; Applicant failed to take meaningful action to resolve his financial liabilities.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- Applicant admitted to having multiple delinquent debts totaling approximately $37,780.
- Applicant provided an implausible explanation for omitting debts on his security clearance application.
- Applicant failed to take meaningful action to resolve his financial liabilities.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 16(a)raisedDeliberate Omission, Concealment, or Falsification of Relevant Facts
Key Rule Quoted
“Eligibility for a security clearance is predicated upon the applicant meeting the criteria contained in the revised adjudicative guidelines (AG).”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedSep 4, 2009
- Answer filedOct 2, 2009
- Hearing held—Applicant requested determination on the record without a hearing.
- Decision dateFeb 3, 2010
Cite For
- Denial Based on Significant Financial Delinquency Under Guideline F
- Lack of Candor in Security Clearance Application Under Guideline E
- Failure to Take Meaningful Action to Resolve Financial Issues as a Basis for Denial