Summary
A 39-year-old associate software engineer was denied a security clearance under Guidelines E (Personal Conduct) and J (Criminal Conduct). The denial stemmed from a 1997 conviction for contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Although the applicant disclosed the conviction in his security clearance applications, he was found to have been untruthful during subsequent interviews regarding the incident's details.
Specifically, the applicant was alleged to have falsified his security clearance investigations in 2002 and 2003 by failing to disclose all facts surrounding the 1997 arrest in both written remarks and during interviews in February and March 2004. During the March interview, he reportedly declined an explanation for his lack of disclosure. Additionally, the applicant failed to disclose in both his 2002 and 2003 security clearance applications that he had consulted with a mental health professional in 1997.
The denial was based on the applicant's lack of forthrightness in discussing the conviction's details during interviews. His failure to disclose material facts was deemed a lack of candor and untrustworthiness, with his equivocation and attempts to minimize the incident ultimately undermining his credibility.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant was not forthright in discussing the details of his 1997 conviction during interviews.
- The applicant's failure to disclose material facts constituted a lack of candor and untrustworthiness.
- The applicant's equivocation and attempts to minimize the incident undermined his credibility.
Conditions Referenced
- E2.A5.1.2.2raisedDeliberate Omission, Concealment, or Falsification of Relevant and Material Facts
- E2.A5.1.2.3raisedDeliberately Providing False or Misleading Information
- E2.A10.1.2raisedAllegations or Admission of Criminal Conduct
Key Rule Quoted
“An applicant has the ultimate burden of demonstrating that it is clearly consistent with the national interest to grant or continue his security clearance.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedMay 2, 2005
- Answer filedMay 20, 2005
- Hearing heldMar 2, 2007case reassigned to judge on January 18, 2007
- Decision dateMar 30, 2007
Cite For
- Lack of Candor in Security Clearance Applications Under Guideline E
- Disqualification Due to Criminal Conduct Under Guideline J
- Credibility Issues Arising From Equivocation During Interviews