Summary
A 27-year-old defense contractor was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline H (Drug Involvement). The applicant had a history of marijuana use between 2010 and 2012, including while holding a secret security clearance. Additionally, he used prescription medication and Adderall without a prescription.
A key issue was the applicant's failure to fully disclose his drug use on security clearance applications, which was considered a deliberate omission or falsification of relevant facts. This lack of candor, combined with his past drug use, raised questions about his judgment, trustworthiness, and reliability.
Despite claims of abstaining from illegal drug use since 2012, the judge found that the applicant's past actions and incomplete disclosures on his applications were significant concerns. The decision highlighted that the applicant's illegal drug use after being granted a clearance and his deliberate falsification of information on his applications led to the denial of his security clearance.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant used marijuana illegally after being granted a security clearance.
- The applicant failed to fully disclose his drug use on his security clearance applications, which was deemed a deliberate falsification.
- The applicant's lack of candor and understanding of the implications of his drug use raised serious doubts about his judgment and trustworthiness.
Conditions Referenced
- H.25(a)raisedAny Drug Abuse
- H.25(c)raisedIllegal Drug Possession, Including Cultivation, Processing, Manufacture, Purchase, Sale, or Distribution; or Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- H.25(g)raisedAny Illegal Drug Use After Being Granted a Security Clearance
- E.16(a)raisedDeliberate Omission, Concealment, or Falsification of Relevant Facts
- E.16(c)raisedCredible Adverse Information in Several Adjudicative Issue Areas
- H.26(a)rejectedThe 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 JudgmentThe applicant's marijuana use occurred while holding a security clearance and was not considered infrequent or unlikely to recur.
- H.26(b)appliedA Demonstrated Intent Not to Abuse Any Drugs in the FutureThe applicant has abstained from marijuana use since 2012.
- H.26(c)appliedAbuse of Prescription Drugs Was After a Severe or Prolonged Illness During Which These Drugs Were Prescribed, and Abuse Has Since EndedThe applicant's use of Adderall was not prescribed and has ended.
- E.17(a)rejectedThe Individual Made Prompt, Good-faith Efforts to Correct the Omission, Concealment, or Falsification Before Being Confronted with the FactsThere was no evidence that the applicant attempted to correct his omissions.
- E.17(c)rejectedThe Offense Is so Minor, or so Much Time Has Passed, or the Behavior Is so Infrequent, or It Happened Under Such Unique Circumstances That It Is Unlikely to Recur and Does Not Cast Doubt on the Individual's Reliability, Trustworthiness, or Good JudgmentThe applicant's conduct was not considered minor, especially given the context of holding a security clearance.
Key Rule Quoted
“A security clearance decision is intended only to resolve the question of whether it is clearly consistent with the national interest for an applicant to receive or continue to have access to classified information.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedMar 10, 2014
- Answer filed—
- Hearing heldJun 17, 2014
- Decision dateJun 26, 2014
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Illegal Drug Use While Holding a Clearance
- Failure to Disclose Drug Use on Security Clearance Applications as a Basis for Denial
- Impact of Personal Conduct on Security Clearance Eligibility Under Guidelines E and H.