Summary
The applicant, a 39-year-old senior analyst, faced security clearance denial under Guidelines F (Financial Considerations), G (Alcohol Consumption), and H (Drug Involvement) due to a history of drunk-driving convictions and ongoing financial issues, including a defaulted student loan. The judge found insufficient evidence to mitigate the security concerns stemming from the applicant's alcohol consumption and financial irresponsibility.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), Guideline G (Alcohol Consumption), and Guideline H (Drug Involvement), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: Applicant is indebted to a former landlord for past rent and damages to a property he rented, with a judgment taken against him for $1,641 in January 2005 (3.a). Applicant has a $180 collection account stemming from a telephone account (3.b). Applicant has a collection account for $662 (3.c). Applicant has a charged-off account for $6,507 (3.d). Applicant has a collection account for $1,145 (3.e). Applicant has a defaulted student loan with a balance due of $29,565 as of January 30, 2007 (3.f). Applicant has a collection account for $2,215 (3.g). The applicant has two drunk-driving convictions, one in 1989 and another in 2005 (1.a). The applicant continues to drink alcohol (1.b). The applicant completed court-ordered treatment for alcohol use in 2005 (1.c). The applicant has not received an evaluation or diagnosis of alcohol abuse or dependence (1.d). Applicant misused a prescription drug (Zoloft) in 2003 without a valid prescription (2.a).
The judge denied the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions G.2.a, F.3.a. The judge applied mitigating conditions H.2.a, F.2.a, F.2.b, F.3.a, F.4.a. The decision turned on the following: The applicant has two drunk-driving convictions, indicating a pattern of alcohol-related issues; He has a significant history of financial problems, including over $25,000 in debt and a defaulted student loan; The applicant failed to present sufficient evidence to mitigate the combined security concerns of alcohol consumption and financial irresponsibility.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant has two drunk-driving convictions, indicating a pattern of alcohol-related issues.
- He has a significant history of financial problems, including over $25,000 in debt and a defaulted student loan.
- The applicant failed to present sufficient evidence to mitigate the combined security concerns of alcohol consumption and financial irresponsibility.
Conditions Referenced
- G.2.araisedAlcohol-related Incidents Away From Work
- F.3.araisedInability to Satisfy Debts
- H.2.aappliedIsolated Incident of Drug Misuse
- F.2.arejectedBehavior Occurred Under Circumstances Unlikely to RecurThe applicant's financial problems are ongoing.
- F.2.brejectedConditions Largely Beyond the Person's ControlThe applicant has not acted with due diligence regarding his financial issues.
- F.3.aappliedReceived Counseling for the ProblemThe applicant is enrolled in a debt-management plan.
- F.4.aappliedInitiated Good-faith Effort to Repay DebtsThe applicant has made some payments and entered a loan-rehabilitation program.
Key Rule Quoted
“The decision to deny a person a security clearance is not a determination of an applicant’s loyalty. Instead, it is a determination that the applicant has not met the strict guidelines the President has established for granting eligibility for a security clearance.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedDec 8, 2006
- Answer filed—
- Hearing heldMar 7, 2007
- Decision dateApr 27, 2007
Cite For
- Denial of Clearance Due to Ongoing Alcohol Consumption and Financial Irresponsibility
- Impact of Multiple Drunk-driving Offenses on Security Clearance Eligibility
- Insufficient Mitigation of Financial Issues Despite Some Efforts to Address Debts