Summary
A 60-year-old security technician with military service was denied a security clearance under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline F (Financial Considerations). The denial stemmed from the applicant's falsification of his 2014 security clearance application regarding substantial delinquent debts totaling over $16,800.
The applicant admitted to these unresolved debts, which raised security concerns. His attempt to justify the falsification was deemed not credible by the judge, indicating a lack of candor. While one $189 delinquent debt was paid, the majority of the substantial debt remained unresolved.
The judge found no credible mitigating circumstances for either the financial issues or the falsification. Consequently, the security clearance was denied based on the applicant's personal conduct and financial considerations.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- Applicant falsified his security clearance application regarding substantial delinquent debt.
- The applicant admitted to having over $16,800 in unresolved delinquent debts, which raised security concerns.
- The applicant's justification for the falsification was deemed not credible, indicating a lack of candor.
Conditions Referenced
- F.19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- F.19(c)raisedHistory of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- E.16(a)raisedDeliberate Omission, Concealment, or Falsification of Relevant Facts
- F.20(a)rejectedBehavior Happened so Long Ago, Was so Infrequent, or Occurred Under Such Circumstances That It Is Unlikely to RecurThe applicant's financial issues are ongoing and have not been resolved.
- F.20(b)rejectedConditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person's ControlThe applicant did not demonstrate that his financial problems were beyond his control.
- F.20(c)rejectedReceived or Is Receiving Counseling for the ProblemThe record does not address whether the applicant obtained financial counseling.
- F.20(d)rejectedInitiated a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue CreditorsThe applicant provided insufficient evidence of a track record of debt resolution.
- F.20(e)rejectedReasonable Basis to Dispute the Legitimacy of the Past-due DebtThe applicant admitted to all alleged delinquencies.
- E.17(a)rejectedPrompt, Good-faith Efforts to Correct the OmissionThe applicant never attempted to correct the falsification.
- E.17(b)rejectedFailure to Cooperate Caused by Improper AdviceThe applicant did not provide evidence of improper advice.
- E.17(c)rejectedOffense Is Minor or Unlikely to RecurThe falsification was significant and ongoing.
- E.17(d)rejectedAcknowledged Behavior and Obtained CounselingThe applicant did not demonstrate steps to alleviate the issues.
- E.17(e)rejectedPositive Steps to Reduce Vulnerability to ExploitationThe applicant did not take steps to reduce vulnerability.
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 issuedApr 15, 2015
- Answer filedMay 5, 2015Applicant requested a decision on the written record.
- Hearing held—No hearing was held; decision made on the written record.
- Decision dateNov 15, 2015
Cite For
- Falsification of Financial Information on Security Clearance Application
- Ongoing Financial Irresponsibility as a Disqualifying Factor
- Lack of Credible Justification for Omissions in Security Clearance Process