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ISCR Case 21-02143 — CASE

Case record

ISCR Case 21-02143

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

Case Profile
Decision Date3/28/2022
Statusdenied
LevelHEARING
TypeSTANDARD ISCR
Participants
Applicant Representation: Pro Se
Judge: Michael H. Leonard
Government Counsel: Brian L. Farrell
Case Summary
The applicant in this case was a 29-year-old senior software engineer seeking eligibility for access to classified information. The adjudicative guideline at issue was Guideline G, concerning alcohol consumption. The Statement of Reasons (SOR) outlined a history of excessive alcohol consumption, including daily intake of ten alcoholic drinks, and a previous diagnosis of alcohol dependence. The applicant admitted to the allegations in the SOR, acknowledging his excessive drinking habits and a lack of intention to seek treatment or modify his behavior.
The administrative judge found that the applicant had a lengthy history of excessive alcohol consumption, which raised significant security concerns. The applicant's self-reported drinking patterns and his admission of addiction were critical factors in the decision. Although he had previously sought treatment, he did not demonstrate sufficient evidence of reform or rehabilitation. The judge noted that the applicant's lack of motivation to change his drinking habits further supported the conclusion that he posed a risk to national security.
Ultimately, the administrative judge ruled against the applicant, stating that it was not clearly consistent with the national interest to grant him eligibility for access to classified information. The decision emphasized the applicant's failure to meet the burden of proof required to demonstrate reliability and trustworthiness, leading to the denial of his security clearance.
Guidelines Evaluated
- Guideline GAlcohol Consumption · Against Applicant
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Case Headnote

ISCR Case No. 21-02143

deniedMar 28, 2022· Hon. Michael H. Leonard· hearing

Summary

A 29-year-old senior software engineer was denied a security clearance under Guideline G (Alcohol Consumption) due to a prolonged history of excessive alcohol use. The Statement of Reasons detailed that the applicant had consumed alcohol to the point of intoxication since approximately June 2014, continuing through at least May 2020, and was consuming alcohol daily to the point of intoxication.

The applicant received alcohol treatment from September 2016 to February 2017, during which he was diagnosed with alcohol dependence. He also attended an AA meeting in January 2019. However, he continued to consume alcohol despite his diagnosis and prior treatment efforts.

The denial was based on the applicant's extensive history of excessive alcohol consumption, including drinking about ten beers or liquor drinks daily to intoxication. The administrative judge found insufficient evidence of reform or rehabilitation, noting that the applicant expressed no intention to reduce or modify his drinking or seek future treatment. Consequently, concerns about his reliability and trustworthiness led to the denial of his eligibility for access to classified information.

Why the Applicant Was Denied

The applicant has a lengthy history of excessive alcohol consumption, drinking about ten beers or liquor drinks daily to the point of intoxication.
He has not demonstrated sufficient evidence of reform or rehabilitation regarding his alcohol use.
The applicant has no intention to decrease or modify his drinking or to obtain treatment in the future.

Conditions Referenced

Disqualifying

AG ¶ 22(c)raisedHabitual or Binge Consumption of Alcohol to the Point of Impaired Judgment

Key Rule Quoted

“It is well-established law that no one has a right to a security clearance.”
— Department of the Navy v. Egan, 484 U.S. 518, 528 (1988)

Procedural Posture

SOR issuedDec 20, 2021
Answer filedJan 7, 2022Applicant requested a decision based on the written record.
Hearing held—
Decision dateMar 28, 2022

Cite For

Denial of Security Clearance Due to Excessive Alcohol Consumption Under Guideline G
Lack of Evidence for Rehabilitation in Alcohol-related Cases
Importance of Demonstrating Reform for Security Clearance Eligibility

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: Decision on RecordDecided: deniedAUD DIAGNOSED

The judge found that the applicant has a history of excessive alcohol consumption, including daily intoxication, and continued to drink despite a diagnosis of alcohol dependence. Although the applicant attended a single AA meeting, this was not considered sufficient treatment. The case was ultimately denied due to the applicant's failure to demonstrate that granting access to classified information would be consistent with national interest.

¶	Allegation	Finding	Incident	Response	Disqualifying (¶22)	Mitigating applied (¶23)	Mitigation
1.a	Applicant has consumed alcohol, at times in excess and to the point of intoxication, since about June 2014 to at least May 2020.	Against Applicant	Binge or Intoxication Pattern	Admitted	(c) habitual or binge consumption to the point of impaired judgment	—	—
1.b	Applicant consumes alcohol to the point of intoxication daily.	Against Applicant	Binge or Intoxication Pattern	Admitted	(c) habitual or binge consumption to the point of impaired judgment	—	—
1.c	Applicant received treatment at a specific AA meeting in January 2019.	For Applicant	Unspecified Alcohol Incident	Admitted	—	—	—
1.d	Applicant received alcohol treatment from about September 2016 to about February 2017, and received a diagnosis of alcohol dependence.	Against Applicant	Alcohol Use Disorder Diagnosed	Admitted	(c) habitual or binge consumption to the point of impaired judgment	—	—
1.e	Applicant has continued to consume alcohol notwithstanding the diagnosis of alcohol dependence.	Against Applicant	Continued Use After Treatment	Admitted	(c) habitual or binge consumption to the point of impaired judgment	—	—

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.