Summary
A 48-year-old program analyst and Navy veteran was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), Guideline G (Alcohol Consumption), and Guideline H (Drug Involvement). The applicant had a history of financial problems, alcohol dependence, and drug abuse.
Specifically, the applicant owed $30,570 for a credit card used by a former mistress and an additional $30,570 across three other credit cards misused around the time of his military discharge and the end of his second marriage. Regarding alcohol, the applicant was arrested for DUI in 2008, diagnosed as alcohol dependent in July 2009, and subsequently arrested for DWI in 2009, 2011, and April 2012. He was also diagnosed in July 2009 as dependent on opiates and anxiolytic drugs.
While mitigating factors were applied for financial issues and drug use, the applicant's ongoing alcohol consumption and multiple DUI arrests were central to the denial. The decision highlighted his continued alcohol use despite treatment recommendations, the three DUI arrests post-diagnosis, and a lack of demonstrated abstinence or sufficient rehabilitation efforts for alcohol.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant has a history of alcohol dependence and continued to consume alcohol despite treatment recommendations.
- The applicant has multiple alcohol-related arrests, including three DUIs after being diagnosed as alcohol dependent.
- The applicant did not demonstrate a clear pattern of abstinence from alcohol or sufficient rehabilitation efforts.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(b)raisedIndebtedness Caused by Frivolous or Irresponsible Spending
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 21(a)raisedAlcohol-related Incidents Away From Work
- AG ¶ 21(c)raisedHabitual or Binge Consumption of Alcohol
- AG ¶ 21(d)raisedDiagnosis by a Duly Qualified Medical Professional of Alcohol Abuse or Dependence
- AG ¶ 21(f)raisedRelapse After Diagnosis of Alcohol Abuse or Dependence
- AG ¶ 20(a)rejectedThe Behavior Happened so Long Ago, Was so Infrequent, or Occurred Under Such Circumstances That It Is Unlikely to Recur
- AG ¶ 20(b)appliedConditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person's Control
- AG ¶ 20(c)appliedThe Person Has Received or Is Receiving Counseling for the Problem
- AG ¶ 20(d)appliedThe Individual Initiated a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors
Key Rule Quoted
“A security clearance decision is intended 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 issuedNov 26, 2014
- Answer filedDec 1, 2014
- Hearing heldApr 30, 2015Transferred to the current judge on April 28, 2015.
- Decision dateJun 29, 2015
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Ongoing Alcohol Consumption Despite Treatment
- Impact of Multiple Alcohol-related Arrests on Security Clearance Eligibility
- Mitigating Factors for Financial Issues Not Sufficient to Overcome Alcohol-related Concerns