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ISCR Case 06-25684.h1 — CASE

Case record

ISCR Case 06-25684.h1

A decided public DOHA case, shown for research — not advice or a prediction.

Case Profile
Decision Date9/28/2007
Statusgranted
LevelHEARING
TypeSTANDARD ISCR
Participants
Applicant Representation: Pro Se
Judge: Jacqueline T. Williams
Government Counsel: Eric H. Borgstrom
Case Summary
The applicant, a 53-year-old senior mechanical designer for a defense contractor since 1994, faced security clearance concerns under Guideline G (Alcohol Consumption) due to a history of excessive alcohol use from 1971 to at least 2006. The Statement of Reasons (SOR) highlighted incidents including a 1999 DUI charge, which resulted in fines, counseling, and a suspended license, as well as a 2004 arrest for assaulting his girlfriend while under the influence. Following the death of his girlfriend, the applicant's alcohol consumption increased, leading to his enrollment in a six-week inpatient rehabilitation program in January 2005, where he was diagnosed with alcohol dependence and depression.
The applicant admitted to the allegations in the SOR and provided evidence of his efforts to mitigate the concerns, including completing the rehabilitation program and attending counseling. He reported a significant reduction in alcohol consumption, now limited to a glass or two of wine per month, and expressed a commitment to avoiding future incidents. A character reference from his supervisor noted improvements in his work performance and overall well-being since completing treatment.
The administrative judge ruled in favor of the applicant, concluding that he had successfully mitigated the security concerns related to his alcohol consumption. The judge emphasized the applicant's credible testimony regarding his remorse and the positive changes he had made in his life, determining that granting the security clearance was consistent with the national interest.
Guidelines Evaluated
- Guideline GAlcohol Consumption · For Applicant
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Case Headnote

ISCR Case No. 06-25684.h1

grantedSep 28, 2007· Hon. Jacqueline T. Williams· hearing

Summary

A 53-year-old senior mechanical designer was granted a security clearance despite initial concerns under Guideline G (Alcohol Consumption). The Statement of Reasons alleged a history of excessive alcohol consumption, including a 1999 charge for operating a vehicle under the influence of liquor, and a diagnosis of alcohol dependence and depression following treatment. These issues raised disqualifying conditions under AG ¶ 22(a) and AG ¶ 22(e).

However, the administrative judge found that the applicant had mitigated these concerns. He successfully completed a six-week inpatient alcohol rehabilitation program and demonstrated a clear pattern of modified consumption. He also sought counseling and significantly reduced his alcohol intake to one or two glasses of wine per month.

The applicant provided credible testimony expressing remorse and understanding of his past behavior, satisfying mitigating condition AG ¶ 23(d). Based on these actions and demonstrated changes, the judge concluded that the security concerns related to his past alcohol use were mitigated, and the clearance was granted.

Why the Applicant Prevailed

The applicant completed a six-week inpatient alcohol rehabilitation program and demonstrated a clear pattern of modified consumption.
He sought counseling and has significantly reduced his alcohol intake to a glass or two of wine a month.
The applicant provided credible testimony about his remorse and understanding of his past behavior.

Conditions Referenced

Disqualifying

AG ¶ 22(a)raisedAlcohol-related Incidents Away From Work
AG ¶ 22(e)raisedEvaluation of Alcohol Abuse or Alcohol Dependence

Mitigating

AG ¶ 23(d)appliedSuccessful Completion of Counseling or Rehabilitation

Key Rule Quoted

“Alcohol consumption is a security concern because 'excessive consumption often leads to the exercise of questionable judgment or the failure to control impulses, and can raise questions about an individual’s reliability and trustworthiness.'”
— AG ¶ 21.

Procedural Posture

SOR issuedFeb 15, 2007
Answer filedMar 13, 2007
Hearing heldAug 30, 2007
Decision dateSep 28, 2007

Cite For

Successful Rehabilitation and Behavior Modification Under Guideline G
Mitigation of Alcohol-related Security Concerns
Impact of Personal Loss on Alcohol Consumption Behavior

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 G (Alcohol Consumption) · descriptive summary of a decided case

Posture: HearingDecided: grantedAUD DIAGNOSEDTREATMENT COMPLETED · FAVORABLE

The judge found that the applicant had consumed alcohol to excess and had a history of alcohol-related incidents, including a DUI charge. However, the applicant was diagnosed with alcohol dependence and completed a rehabilitation program, which led to a positive prognosis. The judge concluded that the applicant had mitigated the alcohol consumption security concerns and granted the security clearance.

¶	Allegation	Finding	Incident	Response	Disqualifying (¶22)	Mitigating applied (¶23)	Mitigation
1.a	Applicant consumed alcohol to excess and to the point of intoxication.	For Applicant	Binge or Intoxication Pattern	Admitted	—	—	—
1.b	In 1999, he was charged with operating a vehicle under the influence of liquor.	For Applicant	DUI or DWI Alcohol	Admitted	—	—	—
1.c	He was diagnosed with alcohol dependence and depression after treatment.	For Applicant	Alcohol Use Disorder Diagnosed	Admitted	—	—	—
1.d	He has mitigated the alcohol consumption security concerns.	For Applicant	Unspecified Alcohol Incident	Admitted	—	—	—

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

Full decision

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