Summary
A 24-year-old defense contractor employee was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline F (Financial Considerations), despite mitigating a concern under Guideline J (Criminal Conduct). The applicant admitted to multiple delinquent debts totaling over $14,000, including medical debts, telephone accounts in collection, charged-off loans, and a vehicle repossession. He provided insufficient evidence of efforts to resolve these financial obligations.
Additionally, the applicant deliberately omitted relevant information on his security clearance application (e-QIP). He falsely answered "no" to a question about prior arrests and admitted to intentionally failing to list the car repossession, any debts in collection within the last seven years, any debts more than 180 days past due, and any debts currently more than 90 days past due.
While the applicant had been arrested and charged with simple assault in 2008, for which he completed a sentence including a fine, probation, and anger management classes, this criminal conduct concern was mitigated. However, the applicant's failure to provide adequate information to mitigate the financial and personal conduct concerns, coupled with his admitted deliberate falsification of information on his application, led to the denial of his security clearance.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- Applicant failed to provide adequate information to mitigate security concerns for financial considerations and personal conduct.
- Applicant admitted to multiple delinquent debts and did not demonstrate responsible management of his finances.
- Applicant deliberately provided false information on his security clearance application.
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 and Material Facts
- AG ¶ 20(a)rejectedThe Behavior Happened so Long Ago, Was so Infrequent, or Occurred Under Such Circumstances That It Is Unlikely to Recur
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedConditions That Resulted in the Financial Problems Were Largely Beyond the Person’s Control
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedThe Individual Has Initiated a Good-faith Effort to Repay the Overdue Creditors or Otherwise Resolve Debts
- AG ¶ 32(a)appliedSo Much Time Has Elapsed Since the Criminal Behavior Happened That It Is Unlikely to Recur
Key Rule Quoted
“The protection of the national security is the paramount consideration.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedAug 25, 2010
- Answer filedSep 7, 2010undated response received
- Hearing held—Applicant elected to have the matter decided on the written record.
- Decision dateJan 13, 2011
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Financial Irresponsibility Under Guideline F
- Impact of Deliberate Falsification on Security Clearance Eligibility Under Guideline E
- Mitigation of Criminal Conduct Concerns When Circumstances Are Unusual and Unlikely to Recur Under Guideline J