Summary
A 51-year-old defense contractor employee was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline F (Financial Considerations). The applicant had over $50,000 in delinquent credit card debts, including a $29,252 judgment from 2012 that was paid in October 2014, and a $23,165 debt to a credit card company that is currently being resolved. While the applicant demonstrated a good-faith effort to address financial obligations, the personal conduct issues were not mitigated.
The applicant received multiple reprimands from his employer for inappropriate conduct. On October 22, 2013, he was reprimanded and suspended for one day for accessing sexually explicit material on a company computer. On the same date, he received a nine-day suspension and was required to complete training for misuse of company time. Also on October 22, 2013, he was reprimanded for posting sensitive proprietary information on an external website without approval on August 6, 2013. Earlier, on October 4, 2001, he was reprimanded and suspended from October 5-18, 2001, for sending sexually and/or racially explicit emails on his work computer, also requiring training.
The denial was based on the finding that the personal conduct issues were not mitigated, and the applicant failed to provide sufficient evidence of positive actions taken to address them. Additionally, the applicant's concealment of his misconduct from his wife indicated a vulnerability to exploitation.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant's personal conduct issues, including accessing inappropriate materials and misusing company time, were not mitigated.
- The applicant failed to provide sufficient evidence of positive actions taken to address his personal conduct issues.
- The applicant's concealment of his misconduct from his wife indicated a vulnerability to exploitation.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 16(d)appliedPersonal ConductThe applicant's conduct raised questions about his judgment, trustworthiness, and willingness to comply with rules.
- AG ¶ 16(e)appliedPersonal ConductThe applicant's misconduct created a vulnerability to exploitation.
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedFinancial ConsiderationsThe applicant's inability to satisfy debts raised security concerns.
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedFinancial ConsiderationsThe applicant's history of not meeting financial obligations raised security concerns.
- AG ¶ 20(d)appliedFinancial ConsiderationsThe applicant demonstrated a good-faith effort to resolve financial obligations.
Key Rule Quoted
“Any doubt concerning personnel being considered for access to classified information will be resolved in favor of the national security.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedJul 25, 2014
- Answer filedAug 18, 2014
- Hearing heldJan 21, 2015
- Decision dateMar 19, 2015
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Unresolved Personal Conduct Issues
- Impact of Financial Difficulties on Security Clearance Eligibility
- Good-faith Efforts in Debt Resolution May Mitigate Financial Concerns but Not Personal Conduct Issues