Summary
A 57-year-old defense contractor employee was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline H (Drug Involvement). The applicant admitted to purchasing and using crack cocaine from approximately 1995 through at least 2013, including after receiving a security clearance in October 2008. She also deliberately failed to disclose her crack cocaine use on her SF 86 in December 2001 and on her e-QIP in September 2008.
Disqualifying conditions included deliberate omission of relevant facts, a pattern of dishonesty, and illegal drug use. While mitigating conditions such as the passage of time since the last drug use and cooperation with the investigation were considered, they were ultimately insufficient.
The denial was based on the applicant's admitted nearly two decades of cocaine use and her failure to disclose this on multiple security clearance applications. Furthermore, her continued cohabitation with a drug user undermined her claims of rehabilitation and future intent to abstain from drugs. The applicant also did not provide evidence of enrollment in a drug treatment program, and her last reported cocaine use was only five years prior to the decision.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant admitted to using cocaine for nearly 20 years and failed to disclose this on her security clearance applications.
- The applicant's continued cohabitation with a drug user undermined her claims of rehabilitation and intent not to use drugs in the future.
- The applicant did not present evidence of enrollment in a drug treatment program, and her last use of cocaine was only five years prior.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 25(a)raisedSubstance Misuse
- AG ¶ 25(c)raisedIllegal Possession of a Controlled Substance
- AG ¶ 25(f)raisedIllegal Drug Use While Holding a Security Clearance
- AG ¶ 16(a)raisedDeliberate Omission or Falsification
- AG ¶ 26(a)rejectedBehavior Happened Long Ago or Under Unusual CircumstancesThe applicant's drug use was extensive and recent, undermining claims of unusual circumstances.
- AG ¶ 26(b)rejectedDemonstrated Intent Not to Abuse Drugs in the FutureLiving with a known drug user negated her claims of intent not to use drugs.
- AG ¶ 17(a)rejectedPrompt, Good-faith Efforts to Correct OmissionThe applicant's omissions were deliberate and not corrected until after the investigation began.
Key Rule Quoted
“The protection of the national security is the paramount consideration.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedSep 28, 2017
- Answer filedNov 17, 2017
- Hearing heldJul 31, 2018
- Decision dateSep 14, 2018
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Extensive Drug Involvement and Personal Conduct Issues
- Impact of Living with a Known Drug User on Claims of Rehabilitation
- Importance of Full Disclosure in Security Clearance Applications