Summary
A 21-year-old U.S. citizen and linguist, originally from Afghanistan, was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline E (Personal Conduct), Guideline H (Drug Involvement), and Guideline J (Criminal Conduct). The applicant's Statement of Reasons included allegations of marijuana use in August and September 2011, arrests for domestic violence in August and September 2011, and a charge for leaving the scene of an accident in August 2011.
Crucially, the applicant was also alleged to have falsified her e-QIP responses by failing to disclose both her domestic violence arrests and her marijuana use from August and September 2011. While the applicant successfully mitigated concerns related to her drug involvement and criminal conduct, she did not adequately address the personal conduct issues stemming from these omissions on her e-QIP.
The denial was based on the applicant's failure to disclose multiple arrests on her e-QIP, which raised concerns about her honesty and reliability. Her explanations for these omissions were not deemed credible, further undermining her trustworthiness. The applicant's past conduct demonstrated a lack of candor incompatible with the responsibilities of holding a security clearance.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant failed to disclose multiple arrests on her e-QIP, raising concerns about her honesty and reliability.
- The applicant's explanations for her omissions were not deemed credible, undermining her trustworthiness.
- The applicant's past conduct indicated a lack of candor that is incompatible with the responsibilities of holding a security clearance.
Conditions Referenced
- E2.aappliedDeliberate Omission, Concealment, or Falsification of Relevant Facts
- H1.araisedAny Drug Abuse
- J1.aappliedA Single Serious Crime or Multiple Lesser Offenses
- H2.aappliedThe Behavior Happened so Long Ago, Was so Infrequent, or Happened Under Such Circumstances That It Is Unlikely to Recur
- J2.aappliedSo Much Time Has Elapsed Since the Criminal Behavior Happened, or It Happened Under Such Unusual Circumstances That It Is Unlikely to Recur
- J2.bappliedThe Person Was Pressured or Coerced Into Committing the Act and Those Pressures Are No Longer Present in the Person’s Life
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 issuedJun 3, 2013
- Answer filedJul 30, 2013
- Hearing heldNov 5, 2013Hearing was delayed due to a Federal Government shutdown.
- Decision dateNov 13, 2013
Cite For
- Failure to Disclose Arrests on E-qip Under Guideline E
- Mitigation of Drug Involvement Under Guideline H
- Consideration of Personal Conduct in Security Clearance Decisions Under Guideline E