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ISCR 14-00199.h1: Guideline H security clearance hearing, granted (2015) · CASE

ISCR Case 14-00199.h1granted

Case headnote

ISCR Case No. 14-00199.h1

grantedDec 21, 2015· Hon. Claude R. Heiny II· hearing

Summary

A 27-year-old university graduate was granted a security clearance under Guideline H (Drug Involvement) despite past use of marijuana and hallucinogenic mushrooms. The Statement of Reasons alleged that the applicant used hallucinogenic mushrooms three times, ending in 2010, and used marijuana four or five times a year until May 2013. These allegations raised disqualifying conditions under Adjudicative Guidelines paragraphs 25(a) and 25(c).

However, the judge applied mitigating conditions under paragraphs 26(a) and 26(b). The decision to grant the clearance was based on several factors. The applicant's last drug use was in May 2013 for marijuana and 2010 for hallucinogenic mushrooms, demonstrating a significant period of abstinence.

Furthermore, the applicant took responsibility for his past drug use, disclosed it on his e-QIP, and expressed a clear intent to abstain from illegal drugs in the future. These actions indicated honesty, transparency, and a commitment to future compliance, leading to the favorable outcome.

Why the applicant prevailed

The applicant last used marijuana in May 2013 and hallucinogenic mushrooms in 2010, demonstrating a significant period of abstinence.
The applicant took responsibility for his past drug use and disclosed it on his e-QIP, indicating honesty and transparency.
The applicant expressed a clear intent not to use illegal drugs in the future.

Conditions referenced

Disqualifying

AG ¶ 25(a)raisedAny Drug Abuse
AG ¶ 25(c)raisedIllegal Drug Possession

Mitigating

AG ¶ 26(a)appliedBehavior Happened so Long Ago
AG ¶ 26(b)appliedDemonstrated Intent Not to Abuse Drugs in the Future

Key rule quoted

“The ultimate determination of whether to grant eligibility for a security clearance must be an overall commonsense judgment based upon careful consideration of the guidelines and the whole-person concept.”

Procedural posture

SOR issuedMar 7, 2014
Answer filedOct 28, 2014Applicant elected to proceed without a hearing.
Hearing held—Decision made based on written submissions.
Decision dateDec 21, 2015

Cite for

Mitigation of Drug Involvement Under Guideline H
Consideration of the Whole-person Concept in Security Clearance Decisions
Importance of Demonstrating Intent to Abstain From Illegal Drug Use in Future Evaluations.

Editorial summary generated for research. Not legal advice; not a prediction. Verify against the full decision before relying on any quoted language.

From the decision

Facts this decision states, each with the exact sentence it comes from. Descriptive of the record, not an assessment.

Age at decision: 27: “Applicant is 27 years old and is being sponsored by a defense consulting contractor.”

Standardized Decision Profile

SEAD-4 Guideline H (Drug Involvement) · descriptive summary of a decided case

Posture: Decision on RecordDecided: granted

The judge found that the applicant's past drug involvement, including the use of marijuana and hallucinogenic mushrooms, was sufficiently mitigated by the passage of time and the applicant's stated intent not to use illegal drugs in the future. The decision to grant the security clearance was based on the applicant's honesty in disclosing his drug use and the absence of recent misconduct.

¶	Allegation	Finding	Substance / event	Use level	Response	Disqualifying (¶25)	Mitigating applied (¶26)	Mitigation

Descriptive standardized rendering of a decided public case. The verbatim source decision is shown in full below.

Full decision

The complete, official text, footnotes and signatures included, is in the original PDF.

Decision text, by section

DEFENSE OFFICE OF HEARINGS AND APPEALS

HEARING

APPEARANCES

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE DEFENSE OFFICE OF HEARINGS AND APPEALS

In the matter of: ) ) ) ISCR Case No. 14-00199 ) ) Applicant for Security Clearance

For Government: Philip J. Katauskas, Esq., Department Counsel For Applicant: Pro se

12/21/2015 ______________

STATEMENT OF CASE

______________

HEINY, Claude R., Administrative Judge:

Applicant contests the Department of Defense’s (DoD) intent to deny his eligibility for a security clearance to work in the defense industry. Applicant used marijuana four or five times a year until May 2013 and used hallucinogenic mushrooms three times stopping in 2010. Applicant mitigated the drug involvement security concerns. Clearance is granted.

History of the Case

Acting under the relevant Executive Order and DoD Directive,1 on March 7, 2014, the DoD issued a Statement of Reasons detailing security concerns. On October 28, 2014, Applicant answered the SOR and elected to have the matter decided without a hearing. Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA) Department Counsel (DC) submitted the Government's case in a File of Relevant Material (FORM), dated March 12, 2015. The FORM contained eight attachments (Items).

On April 27, 2015, Applicant received a copy of the FORM, along with notice of his opportunity to file objections and submit material to refute, extenuate, or mitigate the potentially disqualifying conditions. No material was received. On August 5, 2015, I was assigned the case.

FINDINGS OF FACT

In Applicant’s Answer to the SOR, he admitted using marijuana and hallucinogenic mushrooms, with explanations. I incorporate Applicant’s admissions as facts. After a thorough review of the pleadings, exhibits, and submissions, I make the following additional findings of fact.

Applicant is 27 years old and is being sponsored by a defense consulting contractor. He is seeking to obtain a security clearance. (Item 5) Applicant provided no information about his duty performance and provided no character reference letters. His last marijuana usage occurred in May 2013, on his 25th birthday. (Item 7) It is his intention not to use illegal drugs in the future. (Item 8) He took responsibility for his past use and admitted his use on security forms. (Item 6)

In May 2005, Applicant graduated from high school and was a university student until December 2012. (Item 7) Part of his illegal use of drugs occurred when he was a student and also employed. (Item 7) When Applicant completed his June 2013 Electronic Questionnaires for Investigations Processing (e-QIP), he indicated he had used marijuana four or five times a year from May 2000 (estimate) through May 2013. (Item 7) He wanted to be honest about his drug usage so he acknowledged his illegal drug use on his e-QIP, even though fellow peers encouraged him not to reveal the information. (Item 6) He also indicated between June 2009 and November 2010, he used hallucinogenic mushrooms two or three times, once at a music festival and once at a friend’s house. (Item 7, 8)

POLICIES

When evaluating an applicant’s suitability for a security clearance, the administrative judge must consider the adjudicative guidelines. In addition to brief introductory explanations for each guideline, the adjudicative guidelines list potentially disqualifying conditions and mitigating conditions, which must be considered in evaluating an applicant’s eligibility for access to classified information.

These guidelines are not inflexible rules of law. Instead, recognizing the complexities of human behavior, these guidelines are applied in conjunction with the factors listed in the adjudicative process. The administrative judge’s overarching adjudicative goal is a fair, impartial, and commonsense decision. According to AG ¶ 2(c), the entire process is a conscientious scrutiny of a number of variables known as the “whole-person concept.” The administrative judge must consider all available, reliable information about the person, past and present, favorable and unfavorable, in making a decision.

The protection of national security is the paramount consideration. AG ¶ 2(b) requires that “[a]ny doubt concerning personnel being considered for access to classified information will be resolved in favor of national security.” In reaching this decision, I have drawn only those conclusions that are reasonable, logical, and based on the evidence contained in the record.

Under Directive ¶ E3.1.14, the Government must present evidence to establish controverted facts alleged in the SOR. Under Directive ¶ E3.1.15, the applicant is responsible for presenting “witnesses and other evidence to rebut, explain, extenuate, or mitigate facts admitted by applicant or proven by Department Counsel. . . .” The applicant has the ultimate burden of persuasion to obtain a favorable security decision.

A person who seeks access to classified information enters into a fiduciary relationship with the Government predicated upon trust and confidence. This relationship transcends normal duty hours and endures throughout off-duty hours. The Government reposes a high degree of trust and confidence in individuals to whom it grants access to classified information. Decisions include, by necessity, consideration of the possible risk the applicant may deliberately or inadvertently fail to safeguard classified information. Such decisions entail a certain degree of legally permissible extrapolation of potential, rather than actual, risk of compromise of classified information.

Section 7 of Executive Order (EO) 10865 provides that decisions shall be “in terms of the national interest and shall in no sense be a determination as to the loyalty of the applicant concerned.” See also EO 12968, Section 3.1(b) (listing multiple prerequisites for access to classified or sensitive information).

ANALYSIS

Drug Involvement

AG ¶ 24 expresses the security concern pertaining to drug involvement: Use of an illegal drug or misuse of a prescription drug can raise questions about an individual's reliability and trustworthiness, both because it may impair judgment and because it raises questions about a person's ability or willingness to comply with laws, rules, and regulations.

Ending in 2010, Applicant used hallucinogenic mushrooms three times and until May 2013, he used marijuana four or five times a year. AG ¶ 25(a) “any drug abuse” and AG ¶ 25(c) “illegal drug possession2” apply. AG ¶ 26 provides conditions that could mitigate security concerns:

(a) the behavior happened so long ago, was so infrequent, or happened under such circumstances that it is unlikely to recur or does not cast doubt on the individual's current reliability, trustworthiness, or good judgment; and

(b) a demonstrated intent not to abuse any drugs in the future, such as:

(1) disassociation from drug-using associates and contacts;

(2) changing or avoiding the environment where drugs were used;

(3) an appropriate period of abstinence; and,

(4) a signed statement of intent with automatic revocation of clearance for any violation; and

In May 2013, Applicant last used marijuana and more than five years ago he last used hallucinogenic mushrooms. He intends to never use illegal drugs again. He acknowledged his use was wrong. He takes responsibility for his actions and understands the consequences. Although encouraged not to disclose his illegal drug use on his e-QIP, he did so because he wanted to be honest about his past use. His last marijuana use occurred in May 2013 and he was a university student until December 2012.

There are no “bright line” rules for determining when conduct is “recent.” The determination must be based “on a careful evaluation of the totality of the record within the parameters set by the directive.” ISCR Case No. 02-24452 at 6 (App. Bd. Aug. 4, 2004). For example, the Appeal Board determined in ISCR Case No. 98-0608 (App. Bd. Aug. 28, 1997), that an applicant's last use of marijuana occurring approximately 17 months before the hearing was not recent. If the evidence shows “a significant period of time has passed without any evidence of misconduct,” then an administrative judge must determine whether that period of time demonstrates “changed circumstances or conduct sufficient to warrant a finding of reform or rehabilitation.”3 Because of his abstention from marijuana use for two and a half years and his stated desire never to use illegal drugs again, there is reasonable certitude that he will continue to abstain from drug use. Applicant did not attempt to hide his illegal usage. He disclosed it on his e-QIP. Due to the passage of time since his last use and his stated intent not to use again, confidence is restored in his current reliability, trustworthiness and good judgment with respect to drug use. AG ¶ 26(a) applies.

WHOLE PERSON CONCEPT

Under the whole-person concept, the administrative judge must evaluate an applicant’s eligibility for a security clearance by considering the totality of the applicant’s conduct and all relevant circumstances. The administrative judge should consider the nine adjudicative process factors listed at AG ¶ 2(a):

(1) the nature, extent, and seriousness of the conduct; (2) the circumstances surrounding the conduct, to include knowledgeable participation; (3) the frequency and recency of the conduct; (4) the individual’s age and maturity at the time of the conduct; (5) the extent to which participation is voluntary; (6) the presence or absence of rehabilitation and other permanent behavioral changes; (7) the motivation for the conduct; (8) the potential for pressure, coercion, exploitation, or duress; and (9) the likelihood of continuation or recurrence.

Under AG ¶ 2(c), the ultimate determination of whether to grant eligibility for a security clearance must be an overall commonsense judgment based upon careful consideration of the guidelines and the whole-person concept.

I considered the potentially disqualifying and mitigating conditions in light of all the facts and circumstances surrounding this case. Applicant’s last use of hallucinogenic mushrooms was more than five years ago and that usage was very limited. His marijuana usage was more extensive, four or five times a year, but that usage ended more than two years ago. It is also noted his last usage occurred less than six months after he left college. He has no intention of using illegal drugs again. Overall, the record evidence leaves me without doubt as to Applicant’s eligibility and suitability for a security clearance. For all these reasons, I conclude Applicant has not mitigated the drug involvement security concerns.

FORMAL FINDINGS

Formal findings for or against Applicant on the allegations set forth in the SOR, as required by Section E3.1.25 of Enclosure 3 of the Directive, are:

Paragraph 1, Drug involvement: FOR APPLICANT

Subparagraphs 1.a and 1.b: For Applicant

CONCLUSION

In light of all of the circumstances presented by the record in this case, it is clearly consistent with the national interest to grant Applicant a security clearance. Eligibility for access to classified information is granted.

_______________________ CLAUDE R. HEINY II Administrative Judge

FOOTNOTES

1 Executive Order 10865, Safeguarding Classified Information within Industry (February 20, 1960), as amended; DoD Directive 5220.6, Defense Industrial Personnel Security Clearance Review Program (January 2, 1992), as amended (Directive); and the adjudicative guidelines (AG) effective within the DoD on September 1, 2006. 2 If an individual smokes marijuana they must also have possession of it. There is no evidence of cultivation, processing, manufacture, purchase, sale, or distribution; or possession of drug paraphernalia. 3 ISCR Case No. 02-24452 at 6 (App. Bd. Aug. 4, 2004). In ISCR Case No. 04-09239 at 5 (App. Bd. Dec. 20, 2006), the Appeal Board reversed the judge’s decision denying a clearance, focusing on the absence of drug use for five years prior to the hearing. The Appeal Board determined that the judge excessively emphasized the drug use while holding a security clearance, and the 20 plus years of drug use, and gave too little weight to lifestyle changes and therapy. For the recency analysis the Appeal Board stated:

Compare ISCR Case No. 98-0394 at 4 (App. Bd. June 10, 1999) (although the passage of three years since the applicant's last act of misconduct did not, standing alone, compel the administrative judge to apply Criminal Conduct Mitigating Condition 1 as a matter of law, the Judge erred by failing to give an explanation why the Judge decided not to apply that mitigating condition in light of the particular record evidence in the case) with ISCR Case No. 01-02860 at 3 (App. Bd. May 7, 2002) (“The administrative judge articulated a rational basis for why she had doubts about the sufficiency of Applicant's efforts at alcohol rehabilitation.”) (citation format corrections added).

In ISCR Case No. 05-11392 at 1-3 (App. Bd. Dec. 11, 2006) the Appeal Board, considered the recency analysis of an administrative judge stating:

The administrative judge made sustainable findings as to a lengthy and serious history of improper or illegal drug use by a 57-year-old Applicant who was familiar with the security clearance process. That history included illegal marijuana use two to three times a year from 1974 to 2002 [drug use ended four years before hearing]. It also included the illegal purchase of marijuana and the use of marijuana while holding a security clearance.