Summary
A 52-year-old DOD contractor was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline D (Sexual Behavior), Guideline E (Personal Conduct), Guideline F (Financial Considerations), and Guideline M (Use of Information Technology). The denial stemmed from repeated attempts to access inappropriate material on his company-issued work computer between approximately November 2022 and May 2023.
Specifically, the applicant attempted to view pornography on approximately 70 occasions using his work computer, leading to his termination from DoD Contractor A in about June 2023 for violating the company’s 'Business Ethics and Conduct/Prohibited Use of Equipment' policy. These actions raised disqualifying conditions related to poor judgment, questionable reliability, and a pattern of questionable conduct.
While some mitigating conditions were considered, the administrative judge found that the applicant's admitted actions demonstrated poor judgment and raised significant concerns about his reliability and trustworthiness. The frequency and nature of the conduct, occurring in a monitored workplace setting, were not considered infrequent, ultimately resulting in the denial of his security clearance.
Why the applicant was denied
- The applicant admitted to searching for inappropriate images on his work computer, which demonstrated poor judgment.
- The applicant's actions raised significant concerns about his reliability and trustworthiness, particularly given the frequency and nature of the conduct.
- The applicant's behavior was not infrequent and occurred in a workplace setting, which was subject to monitoring.
Conditions referenced
- AG ¶ 12(c)appliedSexual Behavior That Causes an Individual to Be Vulnerable to Coercion, Exploitation, or Duress
- AG ¶ 12(d)appliedSexual Behavior of a Public Nature or That Reflects Lack of Discretion or Judgment
- AG ¶ 16(d)appliedCredible Adverse Information That Is Not Explicitly Covered Under Any Other Guideline
- AG ¶ 16(e)appliedPersonal Conduct That Creates a Vulnerability to Exploitation, Manipulation, or Duress
- AG ¶ 40(e)appliedUnauthorized Use of Any Information Technology System
- AG ¶ 14(c)appliedThe Behavior No Longer Serves as a Basis for Coercion, Exploitation, or Duress
- AG ¶ 17(e)appliedThe Individual Has Taken Positive Steps to Reduce or Eliminate Vulnerability to Exploitation, Manipulation, or Duress
Key rule quoted
“The protection of the national security is the paramount consideration.”
Procedural posture
- SOR issuedDec 23, 2022
- Answer filed—
- Hearing heldDec 9, 2025
- Decision dateJan 23, 2026
Cite for
- Poor Judgment in Workplace Conduct Under Guideline D
- Vulnerability to Coercion Due to Inappropriate Behavior Under Guideline E
- Unauthorized Use of Information Technology Systems Under Guideline M