Summary
A 58-year-old security officer and ordained minister was denied a security clearance under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline J (Criminal Conduct). The denial stemmed from his failure to disclose a federal tax lien and other delinquent debts on his 2002 security clearance application (SF 86).
Specifically, the applicant did not list the tax lien or over 20 other debts on his SF 86, despite having included them in a voluntary bankruptcy petition filed approximately six weeks later. The judge determined that these omissions constituted deliberate falsification of material facts, raising significant concerns about his trustworthiness and integrity.
The applicant's assertion of ignorance regarding the tax lien's filing was deemed not credible given his financial circumstances. Consequently, the judge found that the applicant failed to mitigate the concerns related to his personal and criminal conduct, leading to the denial of his security clearance.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- Applicant failed to disclose a federal tax lien and other delinquent debts on his SF 86, despite having listed them in a bankruptcy petition filed shortly thereafter.
- The judge found that the applicant's omissions constituted deliberate falsification of material facts, raising serious concerns about his trustworthiness and integrity.
- The applicant's claim of ignorance regarding the tax lien was not credible given the circumstances surrounding his financial situation.
Conditions Referenced
- E2.A5.1.2.2appliedDeliberate Omission, Concealment, or Falsification of Relevant and Material Facts
- E2.A10.1.2.1appliedAllegations or Admissions of Criminal Conduct
- E2.A5.1.3.3rejectedPrompt, Good-faith Efforts to Correct the Falsification Before Being Confronted with the FactsApplicant did not make any efforts to correct the omissions from his SF 86 before being confronted.
- E2.A10.1.3.2appliedThe Crime Was an Isolated Incident
Key Rule Quoted
“Protecting national security is the paramount concern in reaching a decision in any case, and is dependent upon the primary standard that issuance of a clearance must be clearly consistent with the interests of national security.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedDec 27, 2004
- Answer filedFeb 4, 2005Applicant elected not to present his case at a hearing.
- Hearing held—
- Decision dateAug 26, 2005
Cite For
- Failure to Disclose Financial Obligations on Security Clearance Applications Under Guideline E
- Credibility Issues Arising From Conflicting Financial Disclosures
- Isolated Incidents of Criminal Conduct May Be Mitigated Under Guideline J