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.
Was this investigation for this individual and Special Agent enrolled in CE/CT? If so, here is a reason why CE/CT failed and he wouldn’t have been hired in the first place if an employment inquiry with records and references would have been completed by the Investigator. Hence, one of the many reasons why CE/CT is a major concern to national security.
I can’t understand why TIGTA allowed him to start without checking/transferring his clearance in the first place? I think some agencies are so anxious to hire that they are willing to take the hit later if it turns out to be a bad decision. I’m sure this guy looked like a fabulous easy hire on paper and I wouldn’t be surprised if he had never been informed that his clearance was suspended.
@Marko did you see my question if this person was enrolled in CE/CT?
That is unknown, the only way to see that is to look him up in DISS.