CASE · Clearance Adjudication Search EngineCASE

Loading case…

ISCR Case 20-02693 — CASE

ISCR Case 20-02693denied

Case Headnote

ISCR Case No. 20-02693

deniedNov 21, 2022· Hon. Darlene Lokey Anderson· hearing

Summary

A 40-year-old Senior Cyber Security Engineer was denied a security clearance under Guideline H (Drug Involvement) due to a long history of regular marijuana use. The government alleged that his controlled substance use and questionable judgment raised concerns about his reliability and trustworthiness.

Specifically, the applicant admitted to consistent marijuana use since 2005, which directly contradicted his initial denial of illegal drug use on his security clearance application. This misrepresentation, coupled with his expressed intent to continue using marijuana unless explicitly required to stop for the clearance, demonstrated a lack of commitment to abstain from illegal drug use.

The administrative judge concluded that the applicant's extensive history of illegal drug use and his stated intentions reflected poor judgment, ultimately raising significant doubts about his reliability and trustworthiness. Consequently, the security clearance was denied.

Why the Applicant Was Denied

The applicant admitted to regular marijuana use since 2005, contradicting his application denial of illegal drug use.
He expressed intent to continue using marijuana unless required to stop for the clearance, indicating a lack of commitment to abstain from illegal drug use.
The applicant's history of illegal drug use demonstrated poor judgment and raised questions about his reliability and trustworthiness.

Conditions Referenced

Disqualifying

H.24raisedDrug Involvement and Substance Misuse
H.25(g)raisedExpressed Intent to Continue Drug Involvement

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 issuedMar 21, 2022
Answer filedMar 28, 2022
Hearing held—Applicant requested a decision on the written record without a hearing.
Decision dateNov 21, 2022

Cite For

Denial of Security Clearance Due to Illegal Drug Use Under Guideline H
Impact of Expressed Intent to Continue Drug Use on Security Clearance Eligibility
Importance of Reliability and Trustworthiness in Security Clearance Determinations

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: Decision on RecordDecided: denied

The judge found against the applicant regarding allegations of drug involvement, specifically the regular use of marijuana since 2005. The applicant's intention to continue using marijuana unless required to quit for security clearance purposes contributed to the decision to deny eligibility for access to classified information.

¶	Allegation	Finding	Substance / event	Use level	Response	Disqualifying (¶25)	Mitigating applied (¶26)	Mitigation
1.a	The Government alleges that the Applicant has used controlled substances that cause physical or mental impairment or are used in a manner inconsistent with their intended purpose; and that he has engaged in conduct involving questionable judgment, which can raise questions about an individual’s reliability and trustworthiness.	Against Applicant	Marijuana	Regular	Admitted	—	—	—

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. 20-02693 ) ) Applicant for Security Clearance ) Appearances For Government: Nicholas T. Temple, Department Counsel For Applicant: Pro se November 21, 2022

STATEMENT OF CASE

Lokey Anderson, Darlene D., Administrative Judge: On June 2, 2019, Applicant submitted a security clearance application (e-QIP). (Government Exhibit 3.) On March 21, 2022, the Department of Defense Consolidated Adjudications Facility (DoD CAF) issued Applicant a Statement of Reasons (SOR), detailing security concerns under Guideline H, Drug Involvement and Substance Misuse. The action was taken under Executive Order 10865 (EO), Safeguarding Classified Information within Industry (February 20, 1960), as amended; DoD Directive 5220.6, Defense Industrial Personnel Security Clearance Review Program (January 2, 1992), as amended (Directive); and the National Security Adjudicative Guidelines for Determining Eligibility for Access to Classified Information or Eligibility to Hold a Sensitive Position (AG), effective within the DoD after June 8, 2017. Applicant answered the SOR on March 28, 2022. He requested that his case be decided by an administrative judge on the written record without a hearing. (Item 1.) On April 13, 2022, Department Counsel submitted the Government’s written case. A complete copy of the File of Relevant Material (FORM), containing four Items, was mailed to Applicant and received by him on June 6, 2022. The FORM notified Applicant that he had an opportunity to file objections and submit material in refutation,

extenuation, or mitigation within 30 days of his receipt of the FORM. Applicant submitted no response to the FORM. Applicant did not object to Government Items 1 through 4, and they are admitted into evidence, referenced hereinafter as Government Exhibits 1 through 4.

FINDINGS OF FACT

Applicant is 40 years old. He has a Bachelor’s degree. He holds the position of Senior Cyber Security Engineer. He is seeking to obtain a security clearance in connection with his employment. Guideline H - Drug Involvement and Substance Misuse The Government alleges that the Applicant has used controlled substances that cause physical or mental impairment or are used in a manner inconsistent with their intended purpose; and that he has engaged in conduct involving questionable judgment, which can raise questions about an individual’s reliability and trustworthiness. Applicant began working for his current employer in 2011. He is applying for a security clearance for the first time. As part of the application process, he completed the security clearance application (SF-86) dated June 2, 2019. In the application, he denied any illegal drug use. During a subsequent subject interview, Applicant admitted that he has used marijuana on a regular basis since 2005, and that he answered the question on the application incorrectly. (Government Exhibit 3.) Applicant has used marijuana from about 2005 to at least July 2019 with varying frequency. Applicant stated that he smokes on average between five to ten hits from the vape pen per weekly use. He further stated that he has never purchased, sold or manufactured marijuana. He plans to continue using marijuana for recreational purposes, unless he has to quit in order to obtain a security clearance. Applicant stated that his friends know that he smokes marijuana, but his parents do not. He has never received nor has ever felt the need to receive drug treatment or counseling of any sort. (Government Exhibit 4.) Applicant also stated that he has never abused any other kind of illegal drugs and has never abused prescription drugs or alcohol. (Government Exhibit 4.)

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 to be used 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. 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, the 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.” The applicant has the ultimate burden of persuasion to obtain 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 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 EO 10865 provides that adverse 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 three conditions that could raise a security concern and may be disqualifying: (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 (g) expressed intent to continue drug involvement and substance misuse, or failure to clearly and convincingly commit to discontinue such misuse. The guideline at AG ¶ 26 contains conditions that could mitigate security concerns: (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. None of the mitigating factors are applicable. Applicant has deliberately used marijuana for the past fifteen years, from 2005 to at least 2019. It is unclear from the record whether he has discontinued his use of marijuana. On August 9, 2019, Applicant stated his intention was to continue to use marijuana unless he had to quit to obtain a security clearance. Even if Applicant has abstained from the use of marijuana since August 2019, his history of illegal drug use is criminal behavior and shows poor judgment. Marijuana is illegal under Federal law, and is clearly prohibited by the DoD under any circumstances. Applicant’s actions are not mitigated.

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 the applicant’s conduct and all relevant 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. 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 facts and circumstances surrounding this case. I have incorporated my comments under Guideline H in my whole-person analysis. An individual who holds a security clearance is expected to comply with the law at all times. Applicant is a 40-year-old man. He has not demonstrated the level of maturity needed in order to access classified information. Applicant should know the requirements associated with holding a security clearance and should know that marijuana use is against Federal law and not tolerated. Under the circumstances, Applicant is not an individual in whom the Government can be confident to know that he will always follow rules and regulations and do the right thing, even when no one is looking. Applicant does not meet the qualifications for a security clearance.

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 failed to mitigate the Drug Involvement and Substance Misuse security concern.

FORMAL FINDINGS

Formal findings for or against Applicant on the allegations set forth in the SOR, as required by ¶ E3.1.25 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 or continue Applicant’s eligibility for a security clearance. Eligibility for access to classified information is denied. Darlene Lokey Anderson Administrative Judge