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ISCR Case 19-01187 — CASE

ISCR Case 19-01187denied

Case Headnote

ISCR Case No. 19-01187

deniedJan 14, 2020· Hon. Richard A. Cefola· hearing

Summary

A 37-year-old defense contractor was denied a security clearance under Guideline H (Drug Involvement) due to admitted marijuana use. The applicant acknowledged using marijuana approximately 20 to 25 times between May 2012 and November 2017, during which period they had access to classified information.

The Statement of Reasons specifically cited this repeated marijuana use while holding a security clearance as a disqualifying condition. Although the applicant provided a signed statement expressing an intent to abstain from future drug use, the administrative judge determined this was insufficient to mitigate the security concerns raised by the past drug involvement.

Ultimately, the judge found that the applicant's history of marijuana use while entrusted with classified information presented an unacceptable security risk, leading to the denial of the security clearance.

Why the Applicant Was Denied

The applicant admitted to using marijuana 20-25 times while granted access to classified information.
The applicant's signed statement of intent to abstain from drug use was insufficient to mitigate the security concerns.

Conditions Referenced

Disqualifying

AG ¶ 25(a)appliedSubstance Misuse
AG ¶ 25(c)appliedIllegal Possession of a Controlled Substance
AG ¶ 25(f)appliedIllegal Drug Use While Granted Access to Classified Information

Mitigating

AG ¶ 26(a)rejectedBehavior Unlikely to RecurThe applicant's past drug use was too recent and frequent to be considered unlikely to recur.
AG ¶ 26(b)rejectedAcknowledgment and Evidence of Actions Taken to Overcome Drug InvolvementThe applicant's acknowledgment and intent to abstain did not sufficiently mitigate the concerns.

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 issuedMay 1, 2019
Answer filedJun 17, 2019
Hearing heldSep 17, 2019
Decision dateJan 14, 2020

Cite For

Denial of Security Clearance Due to Drug Involvement Under Guideline H
Insufficient Mitigation of Drug Use Despite Intent to Abstain
Importance of Past Behavior in Assessing Current Reliability and Trustworthiness

Editorial summary generated for research. Not legal advice; not a prediction. Verify against the full decision before relying on any quoted language.

Standardized Decision Profile

SEAD-4 Guideline H (Drug Involvement) · descriptive summary of a decided case

Posture: HearingDecided: denied

The judge found that the applicant used marijuana approximately 20 to 25 times between May 2012 and November 2017 while holding a security clearance. The judge ruled against the applicant on this allegation, concluding that the applicant did not mitigate the security concerns related to his drug involvement.

¶	Allegation	Finding	Substance / event	Use level	Response	Disqualifying (¶25)	Mitigating applied (¶26)	Mitigation
1.a	Applicant used marijuana about 20~25 times from about May 2012 to about November of 2017, while granted access to classified information.	Against Applicant	MarijuanaWHILE CLEARED	Frequent	Admitted	(f) any illegal drug use while holding a clearance or sensitive position	—	Claimed Signed Intent with Revocation Clause

Descriptive standardized rendering of a decided public case (Guideline H). The verbatim source decision is shown in full below.

Full decision

The complete, official text — footnotes and signatures included — is in the original PDF.

Decision text, by section

DEFENSE OFFICE OF HEARINGS AND APPEALS

HEARING

APPEARANCES

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE DEFENSE OFFICE OF HEARINGS AND APPEALS In the matter of: ) )

) ISCR Case No. 19-01187 ) ) Applicant for Security Clearance ) Appearances For Government: Tara Karoian, Esquire, Department Counsel For Applicant: Leon J. Schachter, Esquire, Applicant’s Counsel January 14, 2020 ______________

STATEMENT OF CASE

______________ CEFOLA, Richard A., Administrative Judge: On July 19, 2018, Applicant submitted his Electronic Questionnaire for Investigations Processing (e-QIP). On May 1, 2019, the Department of Defense Consolidated Adjudications Facility (DODCAF) issued Applicant a Statement of Reasons (SOR) detailing security concerns under Guideline H. The action was taken under Executive Order 10865, Safeguarding Classified Information within Industry (February 20, 1960), as amended; Department of Defense Directive 5220.6, Defense Industrial Personnel Security Clearance Review Program (January 2, 1992), as amended (Directive); and the Adjudicative Guidelines effective June 8, 2017. Applicant acknowledged receipt of the SOR on May 13, 2019. He answered the SOR (Answer) in writing on June 17, 2019, and requested a hearing before an administrative judge. Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA) received the request soon thereafter. I received the case assignment on August 16, 2019. DOHA issued a Notice of Hearing on August 16, 2019, and I convened the hearing as scheduled on September 17, 2019. The Government offered Exhibits (GXs) 1 and 2, which were received into evidence over objection. (Transcript (TR) at page 11 line 13 to

page 13 line 10.) Applicant testified, called one witness, and resubmitted Exhibits (AppXs) A through E, which were already appended to Applicant’s Answer, and received into evidence without objection. DOHA received the transcript of the hearing on September 26, 2019. Based upon a review of the pleadings, exhibits, and testimony, eligibility for access to classified information is denied.

FINDINGS OF FACT

In his Answer to the SOR Applicant admitted the factual allegation in Subparagraph 1.a. of the SOR, with explanations. He also provided additional information to support his request for eligibility for a security clearance.

Applicant is 37 years old, is married, and works for a defense contractor. (TR at page 15 line 18 to page 20 line 13.) It is unclear when Applicant was granted a security clearance, as he appears to deny ever having one in his e-QIP (GX 1 at page 35). However, he admits the allegation that he used marijuana “while granted access to classified information.” Furthermore, in his e-QIP Applicant avers he has worked for “Federal Contractor(s)” since April of 2011. (GX 1 at pages 12–15.)

Guideline H – Drug Involvement

1.a. Applicant admits he used marijuana about 20–25 times from about May 2012 to about November of 2017, while granted access to classified information. (TR at page 16 lines 1–5, at page 20 line 14 to page 24 line 7, at page 29 line 3 to page 36 line 20, and at page 37 line 1 to page 38 line 9.) Applicant has provided a signed statement of intent to abstain from all drug involvement and substance misuse in the future. (AppX E.) This allegation is found against Applicant.

POLICIES

When evaluating an applicant’s suitability for a security clearance, the administrative judge must consider the adjudicative guidelines (AG). In addition to brief introductory explanations for each guideline, the adjudicative guidelines list potentially disqualifying conditions and mitigating conditions, which are useful in evaluating an applicant’s eligibility for access to classified information.

These guidelines are not inflexible rules of law. Instead, recognizing the complexities of human behavior, administrative judges apply the guidelines in conjunction with the factors listed in AG ¶ 2 describing the adjudicative process. The administrative judge’s overarching adjudicative goal is a fair, impartial, and commonsense decision. According to AG ¶ 2(a), the entire process is a conscientious scrutiny of a number of variables known as the whole-person concept. The administrative judge must consider all available, reliable information about the person, past and present, favorable and unfavorable, in making a decision.

The protection of the national security is the paramount consideration. AG ¶ 2(b) requires that “[a]ny doubt concerning personnel being considered for national security eligibility will be resolved in favor of the national security.” In reaching this decision, I have drawn only those conclusions that are reasonable, logical and based on the evidence contained in the record. Likewise, I have avoided drawing inferences grounded on mere speculation or conjecture.

Under Directive ¶ E3.1.14, the Government must present evidence to establish controverted facts alleged in the SOR. Under Directive ¶ E3.1.15, an “applicant is responsible for presenting witnesses and other evidence to rebut, explain, extenuate, or mitigate facts admitted by the applicant or proven by Department Counsel, and has the ultimate burden of persuasion as to obtaining a favorable clearance decision.”

A person who seeks access to classified information enters into a fiduciary relationship with the Government predicated upon trust and confidence. This relationship transcends normal duty hours and endures throughout off-duty hours. The Government reposes a high degree of trust and confidence in individuals to whom it grants access to classified information. Decisions include, by necessity, consideration of the possible risk the applicant may deliberately or inadvertently fail to protect or safeguard classified information. Such decisions entail a certain degree of legally permissible extrapolation as to potential, rather than actual, risk of compromise of classified information.

Section 7 of Executive Order 10865 provides that decisions shall be “in terms of the national interest and shall in no sense be a determination as to the loyalty of the applicant concerned.” See also EO 12968, Section 3.1(b) (listing multiple prerequisites for access to classified or sensitive information).

ANALYSIS

Guideline H - Drug Involvement and Substance Misuse

The security concern relating to the guideline for Drug Involvement and Substance Misuse is set forth at AG ¶ 24:

The illegal use of controlled substances, to include the misuse of prescription and non-prescription drugs, and the use of other substances that cause physical or mental impairment or are used in a manner inconsistent with their intended purpose can raise questions about an individual's reliability and trustworthiness, both because such behavior may lead to physical or psychological impairment and because it raises questions about a person's ability or willingness to comply with laws, rules, and regulations. Controlled substance means any "controlled substance" as defined in 21 U.S.C. 802. Substance misuse is the generic term adopted in this guideline to describe any of the behaviors listed above.

The guideline at AG ¶ 25 contains seven conditions that could raise a security concern and may be disqualifying. Three conditions are established:

(a) any substance misuse (see above definition);

(c) illegal possession of a controlled substance, including cultivation, processing, manufacture, purchase, sale, or distribution; or possession of drug paraphernalia; and

(f) any illegal drug use while granted access to classified information or holding a sensitive position.

Appellant smoked marijuana on 20–25 occasions, while granted access to classified information. Therefore, AG ¶ 25 (a), (c), and (f) are established.

The guideline at AG ¶ 26 contains four conditions that could mitigate security concerns. Two conditions may be applicable:

(a) the behavior happened so long ago, was so infrequent, or happened under such circumstances that it is unlikely to recur or does not cast doubt on the individual's current reliability, trustworthiness, or good judgment; and

(b) the individual acknowledges his or her drug involvement and substance misuse, provides evidence of actions taken to overcome this problem, and has established a pattern of abstinence, including, but not limited to:

(1) disassociation from drug-using associates and contacts;

(2) changing or avoiding the environment where drugs were used; and

(3) providing a signed statement of intent to abstain from all drug involvement and substance misuse, acknowledging that any future involvement or misuse is grounds for revocation of national security eligibility.

The Applicant used marijuana 20–25 times over a period of about five years, while entrusted with access to classified information. Although he has provided a signed statement of intent regarding no future involvement or misuse, his numerous occasions of past usage cannot be overlooked. The Drug Involvement and Substance Misuse guideline is found against Applicant.

WHOLE PERSON CONCEPT

Under the whole-person concept, the administrative judge must evaluate an applicant’s eligibility for a security clearance by considering the totality of an applicant’s conduct and all the circumstances. The administrative judge should consider the nine adjudicative process factors listed at AG ¶ 2(d):

(1) the nature, extent, and seriousness of the conduct; (2) the circumstances surrounding the conduct, to include knowledgeable participation; (3) the frequency and recency of the conduct; (4) the individual’s age and maturity at the time of the conduct; (5) the extent to which participation is voluntary; (6) the presence or absence of rehabilitation and other permanent behavioral changes; (7) the motivation for the conduct; (8) the potential for pressure, coercion, exploitation, or duress; and (9) the likelihood of continuation or recurrence.

AG ¶ 2(b) requires each case must be judged on its own merits. Under AG ¶ 2(c), the ultimate determination of whether to grant eligibility for a security clearance must be an overall commonsense judgment based upon careful consideration of the guidelines and the whole person concept.

I considered the potentially disqualifying and mitigating conditions in light of all the facts and circumstances surrounding this case. Applicant is very well respected in the workplace. (AppXs C~D.) However, overall, the record evidence leaves me with questions and doubts as to Applicant’s eligibility and suitability for a security clearance. For all these reasons, I conclude Applicant has not mitigated the security concerns arising from his drug involvement and substance abuse.

FORMAL FINDINGS

Formal findings for or against Applicant on the allegations set forth in the SOR, as required by ¶ E3.1.25 of Enclosure 3 of the Directive, are:

Paragraph 1, Guideline H:

AGAINST APPLICANT

Subparagraph 1.a.:

Against Applicant

CONCLUSION

In light of all of the circumstances presented by the record in this case, it is not clearly consistent with the national interest to grant Applicant national security eligibility for a security clearance. Eligibility for access to classified information is denied.

_________________ Richard A. Cefola Administrative Judge