Hi everyone,
I’m looking for honest guidance about my chances of still being granted a Public Trust (SF-85P).
I was recently hired as a Salesforce Administrator for a cybersecurity company, and this is my first time going through any type of background investigation. During the process, I made several serious mistakes that I fully recognize now.
When I initially completed the SF-85P, I did not disclose the following:
A DUI
A Driving While Arrested charge (my only two records)
My schooling history
My outstanding debt
My reasoning at the time was poor. I was anxious, wanted to start the job quickly, didn’t have all the dates or details in front of me, and I let that pressure influence my judgment. I understand now that none of those reasons justify nondisclosure.
During the security interview, the investigator pulled up some of the missing information. Once confronted, I immediately owned up to everything they found. Today, I also voluntarily disclosed the DUI before they brought it up, which I could tell frustrated or upset the investigator. I completely understand why.
I’m not trying to make excuses. I recognize the seriousness of these omissions and the fact that this looks like dishonesty. I’m only hoping for advice on what my chances are moving forward, and what steps I can take now to demonstrate honesty, transparency, and a willingness to correct my mistakes.
Any insight from those with experience in Public Trust adjudication would be greatly appreciated.
Can you add any insight for adjunction only because I believe I stated in my post my reasoning it’s pretty simple why I didn’t which was nervousness , first time applicant for this type of form and or government job.
I was rushing because I really wanted to move on from my previous job which was very toxic. Like I stated before it was nonsensical of me to not include college , loans about my two criminal records such as DUI and driving while suspended.
I feel like the standards have “relaxed” a bit from years gone by and this might be a good thing for you. Deliberately withholding information you clearly knew was required to be listed such as a DUI calls into serious question your trustworthiness. There is almost no issue that is as serious as attempting to hide said issue. Good luck.
There are no steps you can take now the time for mitigating actions was before you sat down with your investigator.
As for your chances? I cannot say…depends on the length of time since the infractions, the amount of “debt” you failed to disclose, your drinking habits since your DUI (which is why the investigator was frustrated, how does one “forget” a DUI??) and a 100 other factors.
Good luck, its out of your hands now, I suggest not getting too bent out of shape over what you cannot change.
I have no drinking habits , that DUI was 3-4 years isolated incident which has been resolved .And yes my fate is now in their hands , it’s completely my fault.
Didn’t forget at all , just a stupid decision on my part , I was rushing the process because I wanted to move on from other job and needed to work asap.
Criminal conduct - the DUI/DWLS charges are mitigated by time passed with no new similar conduct.
Financial concerns - this may or may not remain an issue, depends on how much, why they became delinquent, and what you have done to address them.
Personal conduct - the failure to disclose required information is the most serious issue and will be difficult to overcome, as it points directly to your honesty and trustworthiness.
As others have already pointed out, no one can tell you how it will be played out, just be ready to provide a response to a Letter of Interrogatory addressing these issues with collaborating documents and/or information.
This is the problem. You intentionally decided not to list the issues. Were rushing, and you placed “needing to work asap” over being honest and completing the paperwork accurately.
I know that comes across as harsh, but do you want someone who rushes things to get what they believe they need?
As for the “I don’t have drinking habits” tells me that either you only consumed alcohol on the day of the DUI, or you stopped drinking alcohol after the DUI. You have drinking habits, even if its only one New Years Eve toast, or a beer every weekend.
my apologies i have to edit that portion , I chatgpt that portion , but I meant to put driving while licensed was suspended but got reduced to license not on hand because i had proof I can drive from work to home. DUi 3-4 years old , isolated incident no prior record of drinking or any drinking problem at all. Just wanted to ask are you a adjudicator ? seems like you know internal decision making to come to these claims. I did preface my nervousness , lack of accurate information on hand and first-time applicant to the security investigator.
Perhaps I should have phrased it as “be prepared to discuss your alcohol consumption pattern” rather than habit. You most likely will be asked to discuss how often you consume, what you consume, the quantity you consume on each occasion, any changes in those factors.
For instance, folks will say that they drank 6 beers every weekend when out with friends, and that changed after they (had a kid, got arrested, had a health scare, decided to lose weight…whatever) and now they consume one glass of wine at dinner at home every Sunday. Or whatever. My point is you should be prepared to discuss the details of your alcohol consumption pattern, since you have an alcohol related offense.
As several have said, no one here is going to say that you’re gonna be cleared or not. Every case is unique and no one is going to venture a guess based on a post on a board.