Summary
The applicant, a pro se individual, faced security clearance denial under Guidelines E and F due to significant financial issues and willful falsification of information on his e-QIP. The judge found that the applicant had substantial outstanding debts, including over $1 million in tax liens and child support arrears, and failed to demonstrate a good-faith effort to resolve these debts. Additionally, the applicant's misrepresentation on his security questionnaire raised serious concerns about his reliability and trustworthiness.
Under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: On his February 2011 e-QIP, Applicant answered “No” to “Section 26; Financial Record,” averring that he filed and paid his state and federal taxes in a timely fashion, that he had no tax liens, and that he had no past-due debts in excess of 90 or 180 days. He testified that he provided information, as to what information he is not clear, that the e-QIP was filled out for him, that he “didn’t even look at it that close” and just signed it. I find this to be a wilful falsification (2.a). It is alleged that Applicant is indebted to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by way of tax liens in a amount totaling about $1,024,000 (1.a). It is alleged that Applicant is indebted to a state taxing authority by way of tax liens in a amount totaling about $286,000 (1.b). These are the same past-due debts for back child support in the amount of about $27,238 (1.g). It is alleged that Applicant has a past-due debt in favor of Creditor I in the amount of about $114 (1.i). It is alleged that Applicant has a past-due debt in favor of Creditor J in the amount of about $2,188 (1.j).
The judge denied the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions F.19.a, F.19.c, E.16.a. The decision turned on the following: The applicant has substantial outstanding debts totaling over $1 million, including tax liens and child support arrears; The applicant willfully falsified information on his e-QIP regarding his financial obligations, indicating a lack of candor and honesty; The applicant failed to provide evidence of a good-faith effort to address his financial issues.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant has substantial outstanding debts totaling over $1 million, including tax liens and child support arrears.
- The applicant willfully falsified information on his e-QIP regarding his financial obligations, indicating a lack of candor and honesty.
- The applicant failed to provide evidence of a good-faith effort to address his financial issues.
Conditions Referenced
- F.19.araisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- F.19.craisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- E.16.araisedDeliberate Omission, Concealment, or Falsification of Relevant Facts
Key Rule Quoted
“Conduct involving questionable judgment, lack of candor, dishonesty, or unwillingness to comply with rules and regulations can raise questions about an individual’s reliability, trustworthiness and ability to protect classified information.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedOct 1, 2012
- Answer filedNov 30, 2012
- Hearing heldMay 13, 2013rescheduled from April 25, 2013
- Decision dateAug 29, 2013
Cite For
- Significant Financial Obligations Impacting Security Clearance Eligibility
- Willful Falsification of Information on Security Questionnaires
- Lack of Good-faith Effort to Resolve Financial Issues as a Disqualifying Factor