Summary
A 45-year-old senior systems administrator was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), Guideline G (Alcohol Consumption), and Guideline H (Drug Involvement). The applicant had several unresolved financial issues, including a $4,860 personal loan, a $2,154 charged-off credit card debt, and a $927 utility collection. Additionally, he owed $21,777 in delinquent federal income taxes for 2015 and 2016, a $2,466 state tax lien from 2017, and approximately $9,000 in unpaid real estate taxes for 2008 through 2016. Two smaller debts, for car insurance and a medical account, were resolved.
The applicant also had a history of alcohol-related incidents, including arrests in March 2015 for speeding and operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI), in May 2016 for OVI and physical control, and in April 2018 for physical control of a vehicle while under the influence.
Furthermore, the applicant admitted to using unprescribed Xanax on at least three occasions while holding a Department of Defense security clearance. The judge concluded that these behaviors raised serious questions about the applicant's reliability and trustworthiness, and that the security concerns were not mitigated, leading to the denial of the clearance.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant failed to resolve significant financial debts and tax liabilities.
- The applicant had multiple alcohol-related arrests demonstrating a pattern of poor judgment.
- The applicant misused prescription drugs while holding a security clearance.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedHistory of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 19(f)raisedFailure to Pay Annual Federal, State, or Local Income Tax as Required
- AG ¶ 22(a)appliedAlcohol-related Incidents Away From Work
- AG ¶ 22(c)appliedHabitual or Binge Consumption of Alcohol
- AG ¶ 25(a)appliedAny Substance Misuse
- AG ¶ 25(f)appliedIllegal Drug Use While Granted Access to Classified Information
Key Rule Quoted
“Failure to live within one's means, satisfy debts, and meet financial obligations may indicate poor self-control, lack of judgment, or unwillingness to abide by rules and regulations, all of which can raise questions about an individual's reliability, trustworthiness, and ability to protect classified or sensitive information.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedJul 6, 2018
- Answer filedAug 9, 2018
- Hearing heldMar 22, 2019
- Decision dateJul 19, 2019
Cite For
- Denial Based on Unresolved Financial Issues Under Guideline F
- Denial Due to Multiple Alcohol-related Incidents Under Guideline G
- Denial for Misuse of Prescription Drugs Under Guideline H