Summary
A 44-year-old defense contractor employee was denied a security clearance under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) due to his past marijuana use and subsequent failure to disclose this information. The Statement of Reasons alleged that the applicant falsified his answers to question 27 regarding illegal drug use by omitting his marijuana use from approximately 1994 to 2001. Additionally, he did not report this use to investigators and failed to disclose it because he believed it would jeopardize his employment.
The decision highlighted several disqualifying conditions, including intentional falsification of the application and failure to report illegal drug use. While mitigating conditions were considered, the judge ultimately found that the applicant intentionally omitted his marijuana use from 1994 to 2001 on his security clearance application.
Furthermore, the applicant did not disclose his illegal drug use to his employer until 2009. This conduct was deemed to undermine his credibility and judgment, raising significant questions about his reliability and trustworthiness, despite his successful career and positive character references.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant intentionally falsified his security clearance application by omitting his marijuana use from 1994 to 2001.
- He failed to disclose his illegal drug use to his employer until 2009, undermining his credibility and judgment.
- The applicant's conduct raised significant questions about his reliability and trustworthiness.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 16(a)raisedDeliberate Omission, Concealment, or Falsification of Relevant Facts
- AG ¶ 16(b)raisedDeliberately Providing False or Misleading Information
- AG ¶ 16(c)raisedCredible Adverse Information in Several Adjudicative Issue Areas
- AG ¶ 17(a)rejectedPrompt, Good-faith Efforts to Correct the OmissionThe applicant did not disclose his drug use until 2009, which was not considered prompt.
- AG ¶ 17(d)rejectedAcknowledgment of Behavior and Obtaining CounselingWhile the applicant sought therapy, it did not mitigate the concerns regarding his past conduct.
Key Rule Quoted
“Any doubt concerning personnel being considered for access to classified information will be resolved in favor of national security.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedMay 19, 2010
- Answer filed—Applicant admitted all allegations.
- Hearing heldOct 6, 2010Hearing conducted as scheduled.
- Decision dateNov 18, 2010
Cite For
- Disqualification Due to Intentional Falsification of Security Clearance Applications
- Impact of Personal Conduct on Security Clearance Eligibility
- Importance of Full Disclosure in Security Clearance Processes