DHS Official's Arrest Prompts Criticism in Congress of Clearance Investigations

April 2006: News reports, such as this one, detail criticism in Congress of security clearance investigation procedures in the aftermath of the arrest of a senior Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official suspected of soliciting sex from minors over the Internet. The official reportedly had engaged in similar behavior in a previous job, which critics argue should have been caught and used in the investigation process to deny his clearance. (A similar report, written by Stephen Barr, appeared in the April 10, 2006, edition of the Washington Post.)

Have you knowledge or experience that demonstrates that investigators have been lazy in investigating the work histories of clearance applicants? If so, post your insights below, and note which agencies were involved.

Filed Under: Adjudication