Summary
A 33-year-old engineer was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline H (Drug Involvement). The applicant had an extensive history of illegal drug use, including marijuana from 1996 to 2007, psilocybin and LSD three times each during college, and cocaine twice in 2004 and 2007. He also purchased marijuana and contributed to the purchase of psilocybin and LSD while in college.
Crucially, the applicant used illegal drugs for five years, from 2002 to 2007, while holding a secret security clearance and working with classified information. He also knowingly falsified drug-related questions on security clearance applications completed in 2002 and 2008, failing to disclose his drug use.
Despite claims of abstinence since 2007 and positive character references, the judge found that the applicant's long history of drug use, spanning over 11 years, and his admitted falsification of security clearance applications, particularly while holding a clearance, raised significant concerns about his judgment, reliability, and trustworthiness. Consequently, the request for a security clearance was denied.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant had a long history of illegal drug use, including marijuana, cocaine, and hallucinogens, spanning over 11 years.
- He admitted to falsifying information on multiple security clearance applications regarding his drug use.
- The applicant's drug use occurred while he held a security clearance, raising serious concerns about his judgment and trustworthiness.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 25(a)raisedAny Drug Abuse
- AG ¶ 25(c)raisedIllegal Drug Possession, Including Cultivation, Processing, Manufacture, Purchase, Sale, or Distribution
- AG ¶ 25(g)raisedAny Illegal Drug Use After Being Granted a Security Clearance
- AG ¶ 16(a)raisedDeliberate Omission, Concealment, or Falsification of Relevant Facts
- AG ¶ 16(e)raisedPersonal Conduct That Creates a Vulnerability to Exploitation
- AG ¶ 26(b)appliedDemonstrated Intent Not to Abuse Any Drugs in the Future
- AG ¶ 17(d)appliedAcknowledged the Behavior and Taken Positive Steps to Alleviate the Circumstances
Key Rule Quoted
“A person who has access to classified information enters into a fiduciary relationship with the Government based on trust and confidence.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedMar 22, 2013
- Answer filedAug 28, 2013
- Hearing heldAug 8, 2013via in-person hearing
- Decision date—
Cite For
- Denial Based on Extensive History of Drug Use Under Guideline H
- Falsification of Security Clearance Applications Under Guideline E
- Consideration of the Whole-person Concept in Security Clearance Decisions