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ISCR Case 21-00109 — CASE

Case record

ISCR Case 21-00109

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

Case Profile
Decision Date7/24/2023
Statusdenied
LevelHEARING
TypeSTANDARD ISCR
Participants
Applicant Representation: Pro Se
Judge: Braden M. Murphy
Government Counsel: Andrea M. Corrales
Applicant's Counsel: Dan Meyer
Case Summary
The applicant in this case was a 29-year-old information technology specialist employed by a federal contractor since 2014. He sought a security clearance but faced allegations under multiple adjudicative guidelines, including Guideline G (alcohol involvement), Guideline H (drug involvement), Guideline I (psychological conditions), and Guideline E (personal conduct). The Statement of Reasons indicated a long history of polysubstance abuse, including severe alcohol and drug use disorders, and multiple false statements made during the security clearance process.
During the proceedings, the applicant admitted to some substance use but denied the extent of his drug use as reported in treatment records. He acknowledged a history of depression and anxiety but claimed to have abstained from alcohol for a year and sought therapy, which he later discontinued due to insurance issues. The applicant did not provide sufficient evidence to mitigate the security concerns, as he had not completed recommended treatment programs and continued to consume alcohol at a high level.
The administrative judge ruled against the applicant, concluding that the ongoing security concerns related to his substance abuse and psychological conditions were unmitigated. The judge noted the applicant's lack of candor regarding his substance use and the poor prognosis provided by mental health professionals, ultimately denying his eligibility for access to classified information.
Guidelines Evaluated
- Guideline EPersonal Conduct · Against Applicant
- Guideline GAlcohol Consumption · Against Applicant
- Guideline HDrug Involvement & Substance Misuse · Against Applicant
- Guideline IPsychological Conditions · Against Applicant
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Case Headnote

ISCR Case No. 21-00109

deniedJul 24, 2023· Hon. Braden M. Murphy· hearing

Summary

A 29-year-old IT specialist was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline E (Personal Conduct), Guideline G (Alcohol Consumption), Guideline H (Drug Involvement), and Guideline I (Psychological Conditions). The denial stemmed from a long history of polysubstance abuse, including severe alcohol and drug use disorders, which raised disqualifying conditions AG 25(a), AG 25(d), AG 25(e), AG 28(b), and AG 28(c).

Further complicating the application, the individual made multiple false statements regarding his substance use during the security clearance process, triggering disqualifying conditions AG 16(a) and AG 16(b) under Personal Conduct. The judge noted a failure to follow treatment recommendations and an inability to demonstrate a clear pattern of abstinence or rehabilitation.

Ultimately, the applicant failed to mitigate the security concerns across all four guidelines. The decision emphasized the lack of candor and the consistent failure to adhere to prescribed treatment, leading to the denial of the security clearance.

Why the Applicant Was Denied

The applicant has a long history of polysubstance abuse, including severe alcohol and drug use disorders.
He made multiple false statements regarding his substance use during the security clearance process.
The applicant failed to follow treatment recommendations and did not demonstrate a clear pattern of abstinence or rehabilitation.

Conditions Referenced

Disqualifying

AG 25(a)raisedSubstance Misuse
AG 25(d)raisedDiagnosis of Substance Use Disorder
AG 25(e)raisedFailure to Complete Treatment Program
AG 28(b)raisedOpinion of Mental Health Professional
AG 28(c)raisedInpatient Hospitalization
AG 16(a)raisedDeliberate Omission or Falsification
AG 16(b)raisedProviding False Information

Key Rule Quoted

“The protection of the national security is the paramount consideration.”
— AG ¶ 2(b)

Procedural Posture

SOR issuedMar 31, 2021
Answer filedFeb 8, 2022
Hearing heldApr 13, 2023via video teleconference
Decision dateJul 24, 2023

Cite For

Denial of Security Clearance Due to Polysubstance Abuse Under Guideline G
Lack of Candor in Security Clearance Process Under Guideline E
Failure to Follow Treatment Recommendations Under Guideline I

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

Full decision

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