Summary
A 32-year-old defense contractor was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline E (Personal Conduct), Guideline G (Alcohol Consumption), and Guideline H (Drug Involvement). The Statement of Reasons detailed several allegations, including illegal drug use while possessing a security clearance, excessive alcohol consumption leading to impaired judgment, and multiple instances of falsifying his security clearance application regarding drug use. Specifically, the applicant was cited for failing to disclose, falsely denying, and omitting illegal drug use in his application.
Disqualifying conditions were raised under AG ¶ 25(a), AG ¶ 25(f), AG ¶ 22(a), AG ¶ 22(c), AG ¶ 16(a), and AG ¶ 16(c). While mitigating conditions were considered under AG ¶ 26(a), AG ¶ 26(b), AG ¶ 23(a), AG ¶ 23(b), AG ¶ 17(a), and AG ¶ 17(d), the administrative judge found them insufficient.
The denial was based on the applicant's admitted illegal drug use while holding a security clearance, the falsification of information in his security clearance application concerning drug use, and his history of alcohol abuse, which raised doubts about his reliability and trustworthiness.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant admitted to illegal drug use while holding a security clearance.
- The applicant falsified information in his security clearance application regarding his drug use.
- The applicant's history of alcohol abuse raised questions about his reliability and trustworthiness.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 25(a)raisedAny Substance Misuse
- AG ¶ 25(f)raisedIllegal Drug Use While Granted Access to Classified Information
- AG ¶ 22(a)raisedAlcohol-related Incidents
- AG ¶ 22(c)raisedHabitual or Binge Consumption of Alcohol
- AG ¶ 16(a)raisedDeliberate Omission, Concealment, or Falsification
- AG ¶ 16(c)raisedCredible Adverse Information in Several Adjudicative Issue Areas
- AG ¶ 26(a)rejectedBehavior Happened so Long Ago, Was Infrequent, or Unlikely to RecurThe applicant's recent substance misuse casts doubt on his current reliability.
- AG ¶ 26(b)rejectedAcknowledgment of Drug Involvement and Actions Taken to Overcome the ProblemThe applicant did not provide a signed statement of intent to abstain from drug use.
- AG ¶ 23(a)rejectedSo Much Time Has Passed or Behavior Was InfrequentInsufficient time has passed to conclude that alcohol abuse is unlikely to recur.
- AG ¶ 23(b)rejectedAcknowledgment of Maladaptive Alcohol Use and Actions Taken to Overcome the ProblemThe applicant has not demonstrated a clear pattern of modified consumption or abstinence.
- AG ¶ 17(a)rejectedPrompt, Good-faith Efforts to Correct the OmissionThe applicant delayed self-reporting his drug use until confronted with an investigation.
- AG ¶ 17(d)rejectedAcknowledgment of Behavior and Counseling to Change BehaviorInsufficient evidence of counseling or treatment for alcohol abuse.
Key Rule Quoted
“[N]o one has a ‘right’ to a security clearance.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedJun 26, 2019
- Answer filedAug 8, 2019Applicant elected to proceed without a hearing.
- Hearing held—Case decided on the written record.
- Decision dateJan 27, 2020
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Admitted Drug Use and Falsifications in Application
- Impact of Alcohol Abuse on Security Clearance Eligibility
- Failure to Mitigate Security Concerns Under Multiple Guidelines