Summary
A 28-year-old defense contractor was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline H (Drug Involvement) and Guideline E (Personal Conduct). The applicant admitted to frequent marijuana use from January 2012 to at least January 2019, including while holding a security clearance in September 2016. Furthermore, he stated an intent to use marijuana in the future.
The applicant also falsified information on his security clearance applications in May and October 2016. Specifically, he failed to disclose his marijuana use within the preceding seven years on both applications and did not report his use of marijuana while having access to classified information on his October 2016 application.
Despite the application of some mitigating conditions, the judge ultimately found insufficient evidence of rehabilitation or a commitment to abstain from future drug use, particularly after the Statement of Reasons was issued. Consequently, the security clearance application was denied.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- Applicant admitted to using marijuana frequently while holding a security clearance.
- He falsified information on his security clearance applications regarding his drug use.
- The judge found insufficient evidence of a commitment to abstain from drug use after the SOR was issued.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 24raisedDrug Involvement and Substance Misuse
- AG ¶ 25(a)appliedAny Substance Misuse
- AG ¶ 25(f)appliedIllegal Drug Use While Granted Access to Classified Information
- AG ¶ 25(g)appliedExpressed Intent to Continue Drug Involvement
- AG ¶ 15raisedPersonal Conduct Security Concern
- AG ¶ 16(a)appliedDeliberate Omission or Falsification of Relevant Facts
- AG ¶ 26(a)rejectedBehavior Unlikely to RecurApplicant's recent and frequent drug use raises doubts about his reliability.
- AG ¶ 26(b)rejectedAcknowledgment of Drug Involvement and Pattern of AbstinenceClaimed abstinence and one negative drug test were insufficient to mitigate concerns.
- AG ¶ 17(a)rejectedPrompt Efforts to Correct OmissionsNo good-faith effort to correct false information was made until confronted during the BI.
- AG ¶ 17(c)rejectedMinor Offense or Unlikely to RecurFalsifying information on a security clearance application is not considered a minor offense.
Key Rule Quoted
“Any doubt concerning personnel being considered for national security eligibility will be resolved in favor of the national security.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedFeb 28, 2019
- Answer filedApr 1, 2019
- Hearing heldJul 24, 2019
- Decision dateAug 21, 2019
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Drug Involvement Under Guideline H
- Falsification of Information on Security Clearance Applications Under Guideline E
- Insufficient Evidence of Rehabilitation or Commitment to Abstain From Drug Use