Summary
A 56-year-old facility security officer with a history of holding a security clearance was granted her clearance despite allegations under Guideline K, concerning the handling of protected information. The Statement of Reasons included three allegations, with the applicant admitting to two and neither admitting nor denying the third. Disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 34(g) and AG ¶ 34(h) were raised.
The applicant admitted to the violations and expressed remorse, demonstrating a renewed commitment to her security responsibilities. Mitigating conditions AG ¶ 35(a) and AG ¶ 35(b) were applied.
The decision to grant clearance was based on several factors: the applicant expressed sincere remorse and took full responsibility for her security violations, she demonstrated a renewed positive attitude toward her security responsibilities, and her past security violations were deemed unlikely to recur based on her credible testimony and post-incident actions.
Why the applicant prevailed
- The applicant expressed sincere remorse and took full responsibility for her security violations.
- She demonstrated a renewed positive attitude toward her security responsibilities after the incident.
- The applicant's past security violations were deemed unlikely to recur based on her credible testimony and actions taken post-incident.
Conditions referenced
- AG ¶ 34(g)raisedFailure to Comply with Rules for the Protection of Classified or Other Sensitive Information
- AG ¶ 34(h)raisedNegligence or Lax Security Habits That Persist Despite Counseling by Management
- AG ¶ 35(a)appliedSo Much Time Has Elapsed Since the Behavior, or It Has Happened so Infrequently or Under Such Unusual Circumstances, That It Is Unlikely to Recur and Does Not Cast Doubt on the Individual's Current Reliability, Trustworthiness, or Good Judgment
- AG ¶ 35(b)appliedThe Individual Responded Favorably to Counseling or Remedial Security Training and Now Demonstrates a Positive Attitude Toward the Discharge of Security Responsibilities
Key rule quoted
“Eligibility for access to classified information may be granted "only upon a finding that it is clearly consistent with the national interest to do so."”
Procedural posture
- SOR issuedApr 4, 2015
- Answer filedApr 29, 2015
- Hearing heldAug 27, 2015via in-person hearing
- Decision dateSep 10, 2015
Cite for
- Mitigating Conditions Under Guideline K for Expressions of Remorse and Positive Attitude
- Consideration of Past Security Violations in the Context of Current Reliability
- The Importance of Credible Testimony in Security Clearance Decisions