Summary
A 33-year-old defense contractor was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guidelines H (Drug Involvement), E (Personal Conduct), and F (Financial Considerations). The applicant admitted to purchasing anabolic steroids in September 2020, using them twice weekly from January to May 2021, and shipping them to himself in Country C in July 2022. This conduct led to his termination from employment in August 2022.
Additionally, the applicant failed to timely file federal and state income tax returns for tax years 2021 and 2022, and he falsified his August 2022 Security Clearance Application by not disclosing these tax delinquencies. He also had approximately $37,744 in delinquent debt, including a charged-off mortgage of $24,083. While some debts were resolved, the applicant admitted to other outstanding balances, including a loan with a balance of $23,083 and two other debts totaling $2,350.
The judge found that the applicant's admitted steroid use, employment termination for related conduct, and failure to file taxes demonstrated insufficient evidence of reliability and trustworthiness. Despite some debts being resolved, the overall pattern of behavior led to the denial of his security clearance.
Why the applicant was denied
- The applicant admitted to purchasing and using anabolic steroids, which raised significant concerns about his reliability and trustworthiness.
- He was terminated from employment for shipping anabolic steroids to himself, indicating a lack of judgment and compliance with laws.
- The applicant failed to file federal and state income tax returns, which further questioned his personal conduct and financial responsibility.
Conditions referenced
- AG ¶ 25(a)raisedSubstance Misuse
- AG ¶ 25(c)raisedIllegal Possession of a Controlled Substance
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedHistory of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 16(a)raisedDeliberate Omission or Falsification
- AG ¶ 20(a)rejectedBehavior Occurred Long AgoThe applicant's drug involvement and financial issues were not infrequent and raised ongoing concerns.
- AG ¶ 20(b)appliedConditions Beyond ControlThe failure of the applicant's trucking business contributed to his financial issues.
- AG ¶ 20(g)appliedArrangements with Tax AuthoritiesThe applicant entered into payment plans with the IRS for overdue taxes.
Key rule quoted
“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, and has the ultimate burden of persuasion as to obtaining a favorable clearance decision.”
Procedural posture
- SOR issuedNov 6, 2023
- Answer filedJan 5, 2024
- Hearing heldFeb 11, 2025via video teleconference
- Decision dateMar 31, 2025
Cite for
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Drug Involvement Under Guideline H
- Failure to File Taxes as a Disqualifying Factor Under Guideline F
- Lack of Candor in Security Clearance Application Under Guideline E