Summary
A 36-year-old senior systems engineer was denied a security clearance under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline J (Criminal Conduct). The denial stemmed from a history of criminal offenses and a deliberate omission on his security application.
The applicant's criminal record included a 1988 DWI conviction and a 1991 felony drug conviction, for which he was sentenced. Additionally, he was found guilty of underage alcohol possession by a disciplinary committee and received tickets for speeding and failure to yield right of way. While the judge determined that the applicant had successfully mitigated concerns related to his criminal conduct, a separate issue under Guideline E remained unmitigated.
The applicant deliberately failed to disclose his resignation from a previous employer on his security application and provided misleading information to an investigator regarding this matter. This omission, made at the request of his former employer, was deemed a lack of candor and untrustworthiness by the judge, leading to the denial of his security clearance.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant deliberately failed to disclose his resignation from a previous job at the request of his employer.
- The judge found that the applicant's omission on the security application constituted a lack of candor and untrustworthiness under Guideline E.
Conditions Referenced
- E2.A5.1.2.2appliedDeliberate Omission, Concealment, or Falsification of Relevant and Material Facts From Any Personnel Security Questionnaire.
- E2.A10.1.2.1appliedAllegation or Admission of Criminal Misconduct, Regardless of Whether the Person Was Formally Charged.
- E2.A10.1.2.2appliedA Single Serious Crime or Multiple Lesser Offenses.
- E2.A10.1.3.1appliedThe Criminal Behavior Was Not Recent.
- E2.A10.1.3.6appliedThere Is Clear Evidence of Successful Rehabilitation.
Key Rule Quoted
“No one has a right to a security clearance and "the clearly consistent standard indicates that security clearance determinations should err, if they must, on the side of denials."”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedMar 30, 2005
- Answer filedApr 21, 2005Applicant submitted a notarized response.
- Hearing heldAug 25, 2005
- Decision dateSep 23, 2005
Cite For
- Denial Based on Lack of Candor in Security Application Under Guideline E
- Successful Mitigation of Criminal Conduct Under Guideline J
- Importance of Full Disclosure in Security Clearance Applications