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ISCR 08-09898.a1: Guideline G security clearance appeal, denied (2010) · CASE

ISCR Case 08-09898.a1denied

Case headnote

ISCR Case No. 08-09898.a1

Nov 19, 2010· Hon. Jean E. Smallin· appeal

Summary

A security clearance applicant, representing himself, was denied a clearance under Guideline G (Alcohol Consumption) due to a documented history of excessive alcohol use and multiple alcohol-related offenses. The judge determined that the applicant's issues with alcohol consumption spanned from 1973 to at least 2008.

Specific disqualifying conditions included multiple DUI offenses, with convictions in 1992 and 2008, and a guilty plea for reckless driving in 2002. The applicant acknowledged having a drinking problem but stated an intention to continue consuming alcohol.

The decision to deny the clearance was based on these factors, emphasizing the paramount importance of national security interests in such determinations.

Conditions referenced

Disqualifying

G.1raisedAlcohol Consumption

Key rule quoted

“The general standard is that a clearance may be granted only when ‘clearly consistent with the interests of the national security.’”
Department of the Navy v. Egan, 484 U.S. 518, 528 (1988)

Procedural posture

SOR issuedDec 23, 2009
Answer filed—
Hearing heldAug 30, 2010
Decision dateNov 19, 2010

Cite for

History of Excessive Alcohol Use Under Guideline G
Impact of Multiple DUI Offenses on Security Clearance
Importance of National Security Interests in Clearance Determinations

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

Appeal at a glance· Full written decision

Affirmed

The appeal involved an applicant challenging the denial of a security clearance based on a history of alcohol-related offenses. The applicant raised several issues, including claims of bias and due process violations. The Board affirmed the Judge's decision, finding no harmful errors in the proceedings.

Appealed bythe applicant

Applicant representationPro se (self-represented)

Judge belowDarlene D. Lokey Anderson denied the clearance

Decided ona hearing

Guidelines belowGuideline G

What the Board reviewed

Judge mis-weighed or ignored evidence, raised by the applicantRejected
Applicant challenged the Judge's findings regarding his history of alcohol abuse.
Due-process / fairness, raised by the applicantRejected
Applicant argued he was denied due process due to the Judge's suggestion for cross-examination.
Judge bias or partiality, raised by the applicantRejected
Applicant claimed the Judge exhibited bias against him.
Whole-person analysis, raised by the applicantRejected
Applicant contended the Judge failed to properly apply the whole-person factors.

Why the Board ruled this way

The Board found that the Judge's findings were supported by substantial evidence and that the Judge followed required procedures without bias. The appeal was affirmed as the adverse decision was sustainable on the record.

Standard of review applied

Harmful-error gatekeeperSubstantial-evidence reviewArbitrary-and-capricious reviewProcedural complianceNo de-novo re-decisionNo new evidence on appealDeference to the judge’s credibility calls

Appeal Board panel

Jean E. Smallin
William S. Fields
James E. Moody

Descriptive structured reading of this decided, public Appeal Board decision: what the case says, not a prediction or advice.

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

APPEAL

SYNOPSIS

KEYWORD: Guideline G DIGEST: Applicant challenges the Judge’s suggestion to have Department Counsel question Applicant. There is nothing in the record to suggest that Department Counsel’s examination of Applicant was conducted improperly. Adverse decision affirmed. CASENO: 08-09898.a1 DATE: 11/19/2010 DATE: November 19, 2010 In Re: -------

Applicant for Security Clearance ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ISCR Case No. 08-09898

APPEAL BOARD DECISION

APPEARANCES

FOR GOVERNMENT James B. Norman, Esq., Chief Department Counsel FOR APPLICANT Pro se The Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA) declined to grant Applicant a security clearance. On December 23, 2009, DOHA issued a statement of reasons (SOR) advising Applicant of the basis for that decision–security concerns raised under Guideline G ( Alcohol Consumption) of Department of Defense Directive 5220.6 (Jan. 2, 1992, as amended) (Directive). Applicant requested a hearing. On August 30, 2010, after the hearing, Administrative Judge Darlene D. Lokey Anderson denied Applicant’s request for a security clearance. Applicant appealed pursuant to Directive ¶¶ E3.1.28 and E3.1.30. Applicant raised the following issues on appeal: whether certain of the Judge’s factual findings were supported by substantial record evidence; whether Applicant was denied due process; whether the Judge was biased against Applicant; and whether the Judge failed properly to apply the whole-person factors. Consistent with the following discussion, we affirm the decision of the Judge. The Judge found that Applicant has a history of excessive alcohol use, continuing “off and on” from 1973 until at least 2008. During that time, Applicant had four instances of alcohol-related offenses. In 1992, 2002, and 2008, he was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI). In 1992 and 2008, he was convicted of DUI. In 2002, he pled guilty and was convicted of a form of reckless driving termed “wet reckless.”1 Decision at 3. During the security clearance interview, Applicant learned that there was an outstanding warrant for his arrest stemming from the 2002 offense, due to his having failed to pay off his fine.2 In 2000, Applicant was arrested and charged with being drunk in public. Applicant intends to continue drinking alcohol, though he acknowledges that he has a problem with drinking and driving. He also believes that he is an unlucky person who has been caught. Applicant enjoys an excellent reputation for his integrity, trustworthiness, and job performance. Applicant challenges certain of the Judge’s findings of fact, notably her finding that Applicant has abused alcohol off and on during the times stated above. However, the Judge’s finding is a reasonable interpretation of the record evidence. Considering the evidence as a whole, the Judge’s material findings of security concern are sustainable. See, e.g., ISCR Case No. 08-07528 at 2 (App. Bd. Dec. 29, 2009). Applicant states that the Judge erred by permitting Department Counsel to cross-examine him. “No matter how well intended . . . this is an adversarial relationship between Applicant and the Government Counsel, this should not have been suggested by [the Judge] . . .” Brief at 2. This argument suggests that Applicant believes the Judge expressed bias against him. We have examined the record and find nothing to suggest that Department Counsel’s cross examination of Applicant was conducted in a manner at variance with the Directive. Applicant’s appeal brief is not sufficient to rebut the presumption that the Judge was impartial. See, e.g., ISCR Case No. 08-01306 at 4 (App. Bd. Oct. 28, 2009). In support of his appeal, Applicant cites to evidence not contained in the record, concerning his enrollment in an alcohol education program. He had entered this program after the close of the record. We cannot consider this new evidence. See Directive ¶ E3.1.29. (“No new evidence shall be received or considered by the Appeal Board.”) The record supports a conclusion that the Judge examined the relevant data and articulated a satisfactory explanation for the decision, “including a ‘rational connection between the facts found and the choice made’” both as to the mitigating conditions and the whole-person factors.3 Motor Vehicle Mfrs. Ass’n of the United States v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 463 U.S. 29, 43 (1983)(quoting Burlington Truck Lines, Inc. v. United States, 371 U.S. 156, 168 (1962)). The Judge’s adverse decision is sustainable on this record. “The general standard is that a clearance may be granted only when ‘clearly consistent with the interests of the national security.’” Department of the Navy v. Egan, 484 U.S. 518, 528 (1988).

ORDER

The Judge’s adverse security clearance decision is AFFIRMED. Signed: Jean E. Smallin Jean E. Smallin Administrative Judge Member, Appeal Board Signed: William S. Fields William S. Fields Administrative Judge Member, Appeal Board Signed: James E. Moody James E. Moody Administrative Judge Member, Appeal Board

FOOTNOTES

1 See Government Exhibit (GE) 1, Security Clearance Application, at 28; GE 4, Interrogatories, July 9, 2009, at 6.

2 GE 3, Interrogatories, 23 April 2009, includes a letter from an attorney, describing a payment plan for this fine, which had been approved by the court.

3 See Tr. at 31-32: “Q: Now, since your DUI . . . the last one, the 2008 one . . . have you ever had alcohol and gotten behind the wheel of a car? A: Yes. But I wasn’t legally drunk. Q: Okay. A: I wasn’t .08. I may have had a beer.”