Summary
A 43-year-old single parent employed by a defense contractor was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline E (Personal Conduct), Guideline F (Financial Considerations), and Guideline G (Alcohol Consumption). The applicant had a long history of alcohol abuse, evidenced by four DUI arrests in November 1987, January 1990, September 1995, and October 2006. Although the applicant acknowledged being a recovering alcoholic and claimed complete abstinence since the last arrest, this was deemed insufficient to mitigate the concerns.
Financially, the applicant was indebted to at least seventeen creditors, totaling over $18,787. One debt to Fireside was settled for $900 to $1,000, but most debts remained outstanding. The applicant's wages were also being garnished $350 per pay period by an unlisted creditor, contributing to a "bleak" financial situation where the applicant was living paycheck to paycheck. The applicant planned to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, intending to use funds from their church for the approximately $500 filing fee, but had not yet done so.
Additionally, the applicant failed to disclose a January 18, 2002, employment discharge for excessive absences. Despite some evidence of reform, the judge found insufficient evidence to mitigate the security concerns related to the alcohol abuse and significant financial issues, leading to the denial of the security clearance.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant has a long history of alcohol abuse, including four DUI arrests.
- The applicant is financially overextended, with debts totaling at least $18,787.
- The applicant did not provide sufficient evidence of rehabilitation or reform to mitigate the security concerns.
Conditions Referenced
- G22(a)raisedAlcohol-related Incidents Away From Work
- G22(c)raisedHabitual or Binge Consumption of Alcohol
- F19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- F19(c)raisedHistory of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
Key Rule Quoted
“The adjudicative process is an examination of a sufficient period of a person’s life to make an affirmative determination that the person is an acceptable security risk.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedApr 18, 2007
- Answer filedMay 3, 2007
- Hearing heldSep 6, 2007Record left open until September 27, 2007 for additional evidence.
- Decision dateNov 29, 2007
Cite For
- Denial Based on History of Alcohol Abuse Under Guideline G
- Denial Based on Financial Indebtedness Under Guideline F
- Insufficient Evidence of Rehabilitation to Mitigate Security Concerns