Security Clearance Denial

Former Army CID Special Agent Found Guilty of Lying on SF-86C

The truth eventually catches up to those that spin a web of lies or hide information. A former Army Criminal Investigations Division (CID) Special Agent, Chance Barrow, found this out when he was eventually found guilty of concealing information from the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) during the application process for an investigator position. Barrow was under investigation by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) for suspicion of sexual assault and his Top-Secret security clearance was suspended by the Army while the NCIS investigation was on-going. Facing possible termination, Barrow resigned from the CID and one month later applied for the TIGTA job.

During the application process Barrow submitted documents and an updated SF-86C that should have presented any changes since his last investigation. Everything he submitted indicated he still worked for CID as an investigator, had an active clearance, and was not under any criminal investigation. Based on the information submitted by Barrow TIGTA hired him and he worked as an investigator for ten months before information came to light regarding his previous employment issues and clearance suspension. He was subsequently removed from his position and charged under 18 U.S.C. 1001 with knowingly falsifying or concealing a material fact (felony offense). He was found guilty in Federal court and sentenced to 17 months in prison.

Considering he was a former CID Special Agent, it is astounding that he thought he could get away with this, although he did get away with it for ten months. This case highlights a problem when Federal agencies outside of the DoD who don’t have access to JPAS (now DISS) don’t do their due diligence when vetting potential candidates and checking clearance statuses. As well, a reference check with the current employer should have been done. 

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