Summary
The applicant, a 42-year-old retired Air Force member, faced security concerns under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline F (Financial Considerations) due to a history of financial difficulties and failure to disclose a prior security clearance suspension and revocation. The judge found that the applicant did not mitigate the government's concerns, leading to a denial of his security clearance application.
Under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: Applicant deliberately failed to disclose on his security clearance application that his security clearance had been suspended and later revoked in 2001 (2.a). The debt in SOR ¶ 1.a ($211) is a collection account for telephone service (1.a). The debt in SOR ¶ 1.b ($1,616) is for braces and surgery for Applicant’s daughter (1.b). The debt in SOR ¶ 1.c ($994) is not paid and not enrolled in Applicant’s consolidated debt agreement (1.c). The debt in SOR ¶ 1.d ($2,492) is for a computer Applicant purchased in 2007 (1.d). The debt in SOR ¶ 1.e ($2,119) is a loan Applicant received in 2007 (1.e). The debt in SOR ¶ 1.f ($1,300) is an education loan that was to be paid through the GI Bill (1.f). The debts in SOR ¶¶ 1.g and 1.h ($1,916 and $800) are included in the debt consolidation plan (1.g). The debts in SOR ¶¶ 1.i and 1.j ($471 and $434) are for unpaid parking fines (1.h). The debt in SOR ¶ 1.k ($2,042) is a credit card debt (1.i). The debt in SOR ¶ 1.l ($525) is for cable equipment that was not returned (1.j). The debt in SOR ¶ 1.m ($220) is for jewelry he purchased for his wife (1.k). The debt in SOR ¶ 1.n is for two cars repossessed in the past (1.l).
The judge denied the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions E2.A1, F3.A, F3.C. The judge applied mitigating conditions E3.A, F2.B, F2.C, F2.D, F2.E. The decision turned on the following: The applicant failed to disclose his security clearance suspension and revocation, which was a deliberate omission; The applicant has a significant history of financial difficulties and has not demonstrated responsible management of his debts; The applicant's explanations for his omissions were not credible, raising doubts about his reliability and trustworthiness.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant failed to disclose his security clearance suspension and revocation, which was a deliberate omission.
- The applicant has a significant history of financial difficulties and has not demonstrated responsible management of his debts.
- The applicant's explanations for his omissions were not credible, raising doubts about his reliability and trustworthiness.
Conditions Referenced
- E2.A1appliedDeliberate Omission, Concealment, or Falsification of Relevant Facts
- F3.AappliedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- F3.CappliedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- E3.ArejectedPrompt, Good-faith Efforts to Correct the Omission
- F2.BrejectedConditions Beyond the Person's Control
- F2.CrejectedReceived Counseling for the Problem
- F2.DrejectedGood-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors
- F2.ErejectedReasonable Basis to Dispute the Legitimacy of the Debt
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 3, 2013
- Answer filedUndated
- Hearing heldApr 22, 2013via video teleconference
- Decision dateMay 7, 2013
Cite For
- Deliberate Omission of Prior Security Clearance Issues Under Guideline E
- History of Financial Difficulties Impacting Security Clearance Eligibility Under Guideline F
- Credibility of Applicant's Explanations Regarding Financial and Personal Conduct Issues.