Summary
A 36-year-old service technician for a defense contractor was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline H (Drug Involvement and Substance Misuse). The applicant admitted to using cocaine at least twice between 2011 and 2013, marijuana numerous times from 1995 to 2010, and ecstasy and psilocybin mushrooms in 2002. Notably, he used cocaine and marijuana after being granted a security clearance in 2008.
Further issues arose from intentional falsifications during background investigations. The applicant failed to disclose his use of ecstasy and psilocybin mushrooms on his July 2000 e-QIP, and his second cocaine use on his February 2015 e-QIP. He also omitted this drug use and the second cocaine incident from his November 2015 responses to interrogatories.
Despite completing a drug treatment program, the applicant's lack of candor and continued justification of his past drug use were central to the denial. The decision highlighted his admitted illegal drug use while holding a clearance, the intentional falsification of official documents, and his overall lack of trustworthiness.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant admitted to multiple instances of illegal drug use while holding a security clearance.
- The applicant intentionally falsified information on his e-QIP and during interrogatories regarding his drug use.
- The applicant's lack of candor and ongoing justification of his drug use raised significant concerns about his reliability and trustworthiness.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 25(a)raisedAny Substance Misuse
- AG ¶ 25(f)raisedAny Illegal Drug Use While Granted Access to Classified Information or Holding a Sensitive Position
- AG ¶ 16(a)raisedDeliberate Omission, Concealment, or Falsification of Relevant Facts
- AG ¶ 16(b)raisedDeliberately Providing False or Misleading Information
- AG ¶ 26(b)rejectedAcknowledgment of Drug Involvement and Evidence of Actions Taken to Overcome the ProblemWhile the applicant completed a drug treatment program, it was not prescribed, and he had not used drugs for over four years prior to enrollment.
- AG ¶ 17(c)rejectedThe Offense Is Minor or Unlikely to RecurThe applicant's ongoing justification of his drug use and lack of candor undermined this argument.
- AG ¶ 17(d)rejectedAcknowledgment of Behavior and Obtaining CounselingThe applicant's lack of acceptance of responsibility for his actions diminished the impact of his counseling.
Key Rule Quoted
“Eligibility for a security clearance is predicated upon the applicant’s meeting the criteria contained in the AG.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedMar 3, 2017
- Answer filedMar 22, 2017
- Hearing held—Decision made on the record without a hearing.
- Decision dateJan 31, 2018
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Illegal Drug Use While Holding a Clearance
- Impact of Intentional Falsifications on Security Clearance Eligibility
- Importance of Candor in Security Clearance Investigations