Summary
A 54-year-old electrician was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guidelines E (Personal Conduct), F (Financial Considerations), G (Alcohol Consumption), and J (Criminal Conduct). The applicant had a history of financial difficulties, including owing $5,523 across 17 past-due or delinquent debts and filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy three times (in 1996, 2005, and 2016). His access to classified and unclassified DOD systems was suspended in January 2016 after he asked a supervisor to co-sign a loan and borrowed money from co-workers. Additionally, he was alleged to have deliberately provided false answers on his e-QIP by omitting these delinquent debts.
His alcohol consumption was also a significant concern, with documented excess use from 1983 until at least August 2015. This included a DUI charge in 1984, a felony DUI conviction in 1998 with child endangerment and resisting arrest charges, and an inpatient detoxification in August 2015 after an incident where he tried to strangle someone while intoxicated. He was diagnosed with alcohol withdrawal syndrome but did not follow medical advice to attend Alcoholics Anonymous.
The applicant's criminal conduct included the aforementioned alcohol-related arrests, a 1986 or 1987 conviction for driving on a revoked license, a dismissed domestic violence-assault charge in 1998, and dismissed felony domestic assault and vandalism charges in 2013 after he paid restitution and court costs. Despite attempts to mitigate these issues, the judge found insufficient evidence of rehabilitation or a change in behavior, leading to the denial of his security clearance.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant did not provide credible evidence of rehabilitation regarding his alcohol abuse.
- The applicant's financial difficulties included multiple bankruptcies and unresolved debts totaling $5,500.
- The applicant's criminal history included multiple alcohol-related incidents and domestic violence charges.
Conditions Referenced
- E2.A1raisedPersonal Conduct
- F2.A1raisedFinancial Considerations
- G2.A1raisedAlcohol Consumption
- J2.A1raisedCriminal Conduct
- E3.A1rejectedPersonal ConductThe applicant's admissions and history did not demonstrate sufficient rehabilitation.
- F3.A1rejectedFinancial ConsiderationsThe applicant's financial issues were ongoing and unresolved.
- G3.A1rejectedAlcohol ConsumptionThe applicant did not follow treatment recommendations and lacked insight into his alcohol problem.
- J3.A1rejectedCriminal ConductThe applicant's criminal history raised significant concerns about his reliability.
Key Rule Quoted
“A security clearance decision is intended only to resolve whether it is clearly consistent with the national interest for an applicant to either receive or continue to have access to classified information.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedMar 15, 2017
- Answer filed—
- Hearing heldMar 7, 2018Applicant appeared pro se.
- Decision dateMay 17, 2018
Cite For
- Insufficient Evidence of Rehabilitation Under Guideline G
- Ongoing Financial Difficulties Under Guideline F
- Impact of Criminal Conduct on Security Clearance Under Guideline J