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ISCR Case 25-00280 — CASE

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ISCR Case 25-00280

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

Case Profile
Decision Date2/23/2026
Statusdenied
LevelHEARING
TypeSTANDARD ISCR
Participants
Judge: Darlene Lokey Anderson
Government Counsel: Alison P. O'Connell
Applicant's Counsel: Patrick K. Korody
Case Summary
The applicant in this case was a 40-year-old Operations Program Manager for a defense contractor, seeking to retain his security clearance. The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency issued a Statement of Reasons (SOR) citing concerns under Guideline H, Drug Involvement and Substance Misuse, and Guideline J, Criminal Conduct. The allegations included the applicant's use of marijuana while holding a security clearance and a recent arrest for domestic violence and harassment.
The applicant admitted to using marijuana edibles from July 2020 to July 2024, rationalizing that it was legal in his state despite knowing it violated federal law. He claimed that his use was pressured by his wife, who he described as volatile and abusive. Additionally, he was arrested in March 2025 following a domestic dispute, resulting in a guilty plea to harassment with a domestic violence enhancement. He was sentenced to probation and a domestic violence treatment program. The applicant expressed remorse and recognized the unhealthy nature of his relationship, stating he was in the process of divorcing his wife.
The administrative judge ruled in favor of the applicant, concluding that he had demonstrated significant mitigating factors. These included his long-standing military service, positive character references, completion of drug tests showing no illegal substance use, and his commitment to abstaining from future drug use. The judge noted the applicant's acknowledgment of his past mistakes and his proactive steps toward rehabilitation and personal improvement, ultimately determining that he was suitable for a security clearance.
Guidelines Evaluated
- Guideline HDrug Involvement & Substance Misuse · Against Applicant
- Guideline JCriminal Conduct · Against Applicant
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Case Headnote

ISCR Case No. 25-00280

deniedFeb 23, 2026· Hon. Darlene Lokey Anderson· hearing

Summary

A 40-year-old Army Reserves Lieutenant Colonel was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline H (Drug Involvement) and Guideline J (Criminal Conduct). The government alleged the applicant used controlled substances and engaged in conduct demonstrating questionable judgment, reliability, and trustworthiness. Specifically, the applicant admitted to using marijuana while holding a security clearance, which he stated occurred under pressure from his wife.

Further allegations under Guideline J stemmed from a history of criminal conduct, including charges for domestic violence and harassment. The administrative judge determined that the applicant's admitted marijuana use and recent criminal conduct, coupled with ongoing probation, indicated poor judgment, unreliability, and a lack of maturity and compliance with laws.

These factors collectively raised serious doubts about the applicant's judgment, reliability, and trustworthiness, leading to the denial of his security clearance.

Why the Applicant Was Denied

The applicant admitted to using marijuana while holding a security clearance, demonstrating poor judgment.
The applicant was charged with domestic violence and harassment, which raised serious concerns about his reliability and trustworthiness.
The applicant's recent criminal conduct and ongoing probation indicated a lack of maturity and compliance with laws.

Conditions Referenced

Disqualifying

AG ¶ 24raisedDrug Involvement and Substance Misuse
AG ¶ 30raisedCriminal Conduct

Key Rule Quoted

“Any doubt concerning personnel being considered for national security eligibility will be resolved in favor of the national security.”
— AG ¶ 2(b)

Procedural Posture

SOR issuedApr 16, 2025
Answer filedMay 7, 2025
Hearing heldJan 29, 2026
Decision dateFeb 23, 2026

Cite For

Poor Judgment and Unreliability Due to Drug Involvement Under Guideline H
Criminal Conduct Impacting Security Clearance Eligibility Under Guideline J
Importance of Compliance with Federal Law for Security Clearance Holders

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 H (Drug Involvement) · descriptive summary of a decided case

Posture: HearingDecided: denied

The judge found against the applicant regarding allegations of drug involvement, indicating concerns about the applicant's reliability and trustworthiness due to the use of controlled substances. The decision was based on the applicant's failure to mitigate the security concerns related to drug involvement and substance misuse.

¶	Allegation	Finding	Substance / event	Use level	Response	Disqualifying (¶25)	Mitigating applied (¶26)	Mitigation
1.a	The Government alleges that the Applicant has used controlled substances that cause physical or mental impairment or are used in a manner inconsistent with their intended purpose; and that he has engaged in conduct involving questionable judgment, which can raise questions about an individual’s reliability and trustworthiness.	Against Applicant	Unspecified Drug Involvement	Unspecified	Unknown	—	—	—

Descriptive standardized rendering of a decided public case (Guideline H). The verbatim source decision is shown in full below.

Standardized Decision Profile

SEAD-4 Guideline J (Criminal Conduct) · descriptive summary of a decided case

Posture: HearingDecided: denied

The judge found against the applicant regarding his criminal conduct, specifically noting that his history raises doubts about his judgment, reliability, and trustworthiness. The applicant's guilty plea to harassment with a domestic violence enhancement and the associated probation and treatment requirements contributed to the decision to deny his security clearance.

¶	Allegation	Finding	Offense	Criminal disposition	Response	Disqualifying (¶31)	Mitigating applied (¶32)	Mitigation
2.a	The Government alleges that Applicant’s history of criminal conduct creates doubt about his judgment, reliability, and trustworthiness. It also calls into question his ability or willingness to comply with laws, rules, and regulations.	Against Applicant	Domestic Violence	Diversion or Deferred	Denied	(a) pattern of minor offenses casting doubt on judgment/reliability (b) evidence of criminal conduct, regardless of charge or conviction	—	—

Descriptive standardized rendering of a decided public case (Guideline J). The verbatim source decision is shown in full below.

Full decision

The complete, official text — footnotes and signatures included — is in the original PDF.