Summary
A 48-year-old senior chemist employed by a defense contractor was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), Guideline G (Alcohol Consumption), and Guideline J (Criminal Conduct). The applicant had a lengthy history of alcohol-related incidents and criminal conduct, including multiple DUI/DWI arrests between October 1998 and July 2003, and two public intoxication incidents in 2007. Additionally, the applicant was terminated from a previous job in April 2006 for reporting to work intoxicated.
Despite some mitigation for criminal conduct, the applicant's continued alcohol consumption to the point of impaired judgment, even after past incidents and education programs, remained a significant concern. Furthermore, the applicant had substantial unresolved financial delinquencies totaling approximately $92,494 across multiple accounts. These accounts were placed for collection or charged off, and the applicant had not made arrangements to resolve them, contacted creditors, or received financial counseling.
The applicant attributed financial issues to a divorce and confusion over responsibilities, claiming he would resolve accounts when he could hire an attorney, but provided no documentation of resolution efforts. The security clearance was ultimately denied due to the applicant's ongoing alcohol consumption issues and significant, unaddressed financial delinquencies.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant has a lengthy history of alcohol-related incidents and criminal conduct, including multiple DUI arrests.
- The applicant's continued alcohol consumption to the point of impairment demonstrates a lack of judgment inconsistent with security clearance eligibility.
- The applicant has significant unresolved financial delinquencies totaling approximately $92,494, with no evidence of efforts to address these debts.
Conditions Referenced
- G.22.aappliedAlcohol-related Incidents Away From Work
- G.22.bappliedAlcohol-related Incidents at Work
- G.22.cappliedHabitual or Binge Consumption of Alcohol
- J.31.aappliedA Single Serious Crime or Multiple Lesser Offenses
- J.31.cappliedAn Allegation or Admission of Criminal Conduct
- F.19.aappliedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- F.19.cappliedHistory of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- J.32.aappliedTime Elapsed Since Criminal Behavior
- J.32.drejectedEvidence of Successful RehabilitationThe applicant has not demonstrated sufficient evidence of rehabilitation despite some time passing since the last criminal conduct.
- F.20.arejectedBehavior Happened so Long AgoThe applicant's financial issues are ongoing and not mitigated by time.
- F.20.brejectedConditions Largely Beyond the Person's ControlThe applicant did not provide evidence that financial issues were beyond his control.
- F.20.drejectedGood-faith Effort to Repay Overdue CreditorsThe applicant has not initiated any good-faith efforts to resolve his debts.
Key Rule Quoted
“A person who seeks access to classified information enters into a fiduciary relationship with the Government predicated upon trust and confidence.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedMar 7, 2012
- Answer filedMar 30, 2012Applicant elected to proceed without a hearing.
- Hearing held—Written record only.
- Decision dateAug 28, 2012
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Unresolved Alcohol Consumption Issues
- Denial Based on Significant Financial Delinquencies
- Impact of Criminal Conduct on Security Clearance Eligibility