Summary
A 33-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen, originally from Liberia, was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline B (Foreign Influence), Guideline E (Personal Conduct), and Guideline F (Financial Considerations). While foreign influence concerns were mitigated, the applicant's financial history and deliberate misrepresentations on his application led to the denial.
The applicant admitted to 11 of 15 allegations related to financial delinquencies, totaling approximately $17,700. These included multiple judgments and debts for unpaid rent, various debts in collections, and outstanding amounts owed to a storage company, a credit card provider, a county government, and several cable and video service providers. These debts had been delinquent since 2006.
Furthermore, the applicant intentionally falsified his financial responses on the security clearance application by failing to disclose numerous debts. This deliberate omission raised significant doubts about his reliability and trustworthiness. The applicant also did not provide documentation to support his claims of resolving these debts or engaging in financial counseling. Consequently, the security clearance was denied.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant admitted to 11 of 15 allegations under Guideline F, indicating a history of financial delinquencies totaling $17,700.
- The applicant intentionally falsified financial information on his security clearance application, which undermined his credibility.
- The applicant failed to provide documentation supporting claims of debt resolution or financial counseling.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedHistory of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 16(a)raisedDeliberate Omission, Concealment, or Falsification of Relevant Facts
- AG ¶ 7(a)raisedContact with a Foreign Family Member
- AG ¶ 7(d)raisedSharing Living Quarters with a Foreign National
- AG ¶ 20(b)appliedConditions Beyond the Person's ControlThe applicant's financial issues were partly due to reduced work hours and subsequent unemployment.
Key Rule Quoted
“A security clearance decision is intended only to resolve whether it is clearly consistent with the national interest for an applicant to either receive or continue to have access to classified information.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedJan 11, 2010
- Answer filedJan 15, 2010Initial response was inadequate.
- Hearing held—Applicant requested a decision without a hearing.
- Decision dateAug 11, 2010Assigned for administrative decision.
Cite For
- Denial Based on Significant Financial Delinquencies Under Guideline F
- Falsification of Information on Security Clearance Applications Under Guideline E
- Foreign Influence Concerns Due to Relationships with Foreign Nationals Under Guideline B