Summary
A 46-year-old program manager with a master's degree was denied a security clearance under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline G (Alcohol Consumption). The denial stemmed from a history of ten alcohol-related incidents, including multiple driving while intoxicated offenses between 1984 and 2002. These incidents raised concerns about the applicant's reliability and judgment.
A key factor in the denial was the applicant's failure to disclose eight of these driving while intoxicated offenses from 1984 to 1991 on his security clearance application. This omission was considered a deliberate act that undermined his trustworthiness. Although the applicant acknowledged his past issues and completed alcohol counseling, he continued to consume alcohol afterward, only ceasing a year before the hearing.
The judge found the evidence of rehabilitation insufficient to mitigate the security concerns. The applicant's extensive history of alcohol-related offenses, coupled with the deliberate misrepresentation on his application, led to the conclusion that he did not meet the standards for reliability and trustworthiness required for a security clearance.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant had ten alcohol-related incidents, including multiple driving while intoxicated offenses, raising significant concerns about his reliability and judgment.
- The applicant deliberately omitted relevant alcohol-related offenses from his security clearance application, undermining trustworthiness.
- The applicant's claims of rehabilitation were insufficient to mitigate the security concerns, as he only stopped drinking alcohol a year prior to the hearing.
Conditions Referenced
- GDC 22(a)raisedAlcohol-related Incidents Away From Work
- GDC 22(c)raisedHabitual or Binge Consumption of Alcohol
- PCDC 16(a)raisedDeliberate Omission, Concealment, or Falsification of Relevant Facts
- GMC 23(a)rejectedBehavior Unlikely to RecurThe applicant's history of alcohol-related incidents and recent cessation of drinking did not sufficiently demonstrate a low likelihood of recurrence.
- GMC 23(b)rejectedAcknowledgment of Alcohol Issues and Evidence of Action TakenThe applicant's acknowledgment of his alcohol problem was not supported by sufficient evidence of effective rehabilitation.
- GMC 23(d)rejectedSuccessful Completion of Counseling and Established Pattern of AbstinenceThe applicant's counseling completion did not establish a clear pattern of abstinence or effective steps taken to overcome alcohol-related issues.
Key Rule Quoted
“The protection of the national security is the paramount consideration.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedApr 7, 2008
- Answer filedApr 17, 2008
- Hearing heldSep 9, 2008
- Decision dateSep 25, 2008
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Extensive History of Alcohol-related Offenses
- Importance of Full Disclosure in Security Clearance Applications
- Insufficient Evidence of Rehabilitation in Alcohol-related Cases