Summary
A 31-year-old male applicant was denied a security clearance due to unmitigated concerns under Guideline E (Personal Conduct), Guideline G (Alcohol Consumption), and Guideline H (Drug Involvement). The applicant's history included admitted use and sale of marijuana, consumption of alcohol to intoxication, and engagement in theft and fraud, which collectively raised significant questions about his reliability and trustworthiness.
Specific allegations included using marijuana from December 2007 to 2013, including while holding a security clearance, and purchasing it from July 2008 to August 2013. He also admitted to selling marijuana from July 2008 to March 2010 and using alkyl nitrates from March 2013 to August 2014. Regarding alcohol, the applicant admitted to driving while intoxicated approximately 25 to 30 times and experiencing multiple blackouts due to alcohol consumption between January and November 2014. He stated he now limits alcohol consumption to two to three drinks on weekends and does not intend to use illegal drugs, having moved away from drug users.
The denial was based on the applicant's intentional falsification of material facts on his security clearance application and during interviews. His history of drug use, alcohol abuse, and criminal conduct demonstrated a lack of reliability and trustworthiness, and he failed to provide credible evidence of rehabilitation or other mitigating circumstances.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- Applicant intentionally falsified material facts on his security clearance application and during interviews.
- Applicant's history of drug use, alcohol abuse, and criminal conduct demonstrated a lack of reliability and trustworthiness.
- The applicant failed to provide credible evidence of rehabilitation or mitigating circumstances.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 16(a)appliedDeliberate Omission, Concealment, or Falsification of Relevant Facts
- AG ¶ 16(b)appliedDeliberately Providing False or Misleading Information
- AG ¶ 16(c)appliedCredible Adverse Information in Several Adjudicative Issue Areas
- AG ¶ 16(e)appliedPersonal Conduct Creating Vulnerability to Exploitation
- AG ¶ 17(a)rejectedPrompt, Good-faith Efforts to Correct the OmissionApplicant did not demonstrate good faith efforts to correct omissions before being confronted.
- AG ¶ 17(c)rejectedOffense Is Minor or Unlikely to RecurThe applicant's offenses were serious and indicative of a pattern of behavior.
- AG ¶ 17(d)rejectedAcknowledgment of ResponsibilityThe applicant's explanations were not credible and did not show genuine acknowledgment.
Key Rule Quoted
“The protection of the national security is the paramount consideration.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedSep 18, 2017
- Answer filedMar 1, 2018
- Hearing heldJul 26, 2018
- Decision dateOct 18, 2018
Cite For
- Intentionally Falsified Information on Security Clearance Applications
- Seriousness of Drug and Alcohol-related Conduct Under Guideline G
- Impact of Personal Conduct on Security Clearance Eligibility Under Guideline E