Summary
A 35-year-old defense contractor employee was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline G (Alcohol Consumption), Guideline E (Personal Conduct), and Guideline J (Criminal Conduct). The applicant admitted to excessive alcohol consumption from at least August 2009 until at least August 2021, leading to a diagnosis of alcohol dependency in July-August 2021 and Alcohol Use Disorder in August-September 2017. He also continued to consume alcohol contrary to treatment advice.
His history included multiple alcohol-related arrests, specifically a Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in August 2012 and a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) charge in August 2012. Additionally, he faced an arrest and charge in another state in about August 2014 for assault on a family/household member.
While some mitigating factors related to personal conduct were considered, the applicant failed to demonstrate sustained sobriety. The judge found that his assurances of sobriety lacked corroboration from updated medical evaluations or endorsements from professionals familiar with his alcohol issues, ultimately leading to the denial of his security clearance.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant did not mitigate alcohol consumption concerns due to a history of excessive drinking and multiple alcohol-related arrests.
- The applicant's assurances of sobriety were not corroborated by updated medical evaluations or endorsements from professionals familiar with his alcohol issues.
Conditions Referenced
- DC ¶ 22(a)appliedAlcohol-related Incidents Away From Work
- DC ¶ 22(c)appliedHabitual or Binge Consumption of Alcohol
- DC ¶ 22(d)appliedDiagnosis of Alcohol Use Disorder
- DC ¶ 22(e)appliedFailure to Follow Treatment Advice
- DC ¶ 22(f)appliedAlcohol Consumption Not in Accordance with Treatment Recommendations
- MC ¶ 23(a)appliedTime Passed or Infrequent Behavior Unlikely to Recur
- MC ¶ 23(b)appliedAcknowledgment of Alcohol Use Pattern and Evidence of Actions Taken
Key Rule Quoted
“Eligibility for access to classified information may only be granted "upon a finding that it is clearly consistent with the national interest to do so."”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedJan 19, 2021
- Answer filednull
- Hearing heldSep 26, 2023via Teams Conference Services
- Decision dateDec 4, 2023
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Unresolved Alcohol Consumption Issues
- Impact of Corroborating Evidence on Claims of Sobriety
- Consideration of Personal Conduct and Criminal Conduct in Security Clearance Decisions