Summary
A 40-year-old depot coordinator for a defense contractor was granted a security clearance despite concerns under Guideline G (Alcohol Consumption) and Guideline J (Criminal Conduct). The applicant had been diagnosed with alcohol dependence and faced two DUI incidents.
Specifically, the applicant attended alcohol counseling from February to June 2014, where she was diagnosed as alcohol dependent. Her criminal record included a September 2013 arrest for DUI, resulting in a guilty plea, 12 months of probation, and an $1,800 fine. In January 2014, she was arrested for DWI and a second count of DWI. She later pled guilty to an amended count of endangerment (related to the September 2013 arrest date) and an amended class 2 misdemeanor. For these, she received a total of three years probation, ten days in jail, a $2,400.50 fine, an ignition interlock requirement, and a 30-day driver’s license suspension.
The judge found that the applicant successfully mitigated these concerns. She demonstrated over two years of sustained sobriety since her last alcohol-related incident, actively participated in counseling and Alcoholics Anonymous, and received positive evaluations from her treatment providers. Her commitment to recovery, supported by family and friends, led to the decision to grant her eligibility for a security clearance.
Why the applicant prevailed
- The applicant demonstrated over two years of sustained sobriety since her last alcohol-related incident.
- She actively participated in counseling and Alcoholics Anonymous, receiving positive evaluations from her treatment providers.
- The applicant's commitment to recovery and support from family and friends contributed to her successful rehabilitation.
Conditions referenced
- AG ¶ 22(a)raisedAlcohol-related Incidents Away From Work
- AG ¶ 22(c)raisedHabitual or Binge Consumption of Alcohol
- AG ¶ 31(d)raisedA Single Serious Crime or Multiple Lesser Offenses
- AG ¶ 23(a)appliedTime Passed or Infrequent Behavior Unlikely to Recur
- AG ¶ 23(b)appliedAcknowledgment of Alcoholism and Actions Taken to Overcome It
- AG ¶ 23(c)appliedParticipation in a Counseling or Treatment Program
- AG ¶ 23(d)appliedSuccessful Completion of Counseling or Rehabilitation
Key rule quoted
“The adjudicative process is designed to examine a sufficient period of an applicant’s life to enable predictive judgments to be made about whether the applicant is an acceptable security risk.”
Procedural posture
- SOR issuedJun 10, 2015
- Answer filedJul 24, 2015
- Hearing heldMay 23, 2016
- Decision dateJan 12, 2017
Cite for
- Mitigation of Alcohol-related Incidents Under Guideline G
- Successful Rehabilitation and Sustained Sobriety as a Basis for Granting Security Clearance
- Consideration of Personal Circumstances in Assessing Security Risk