Summary
A 58-year-old defense contractor board member was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guidelines E (Personal Conduct), F (Financial Considerations), G (Alcohol Consumption), and H (Drug Involvement). The applicant faced allegations of deliberately falsifying his September 2013 security clearance application by omitting delinquent debts, illegal drug use while holding a clearance, and alcohol-related offenses.
Specifically, the applicant accumulated over $28,000 in outstanding delinquent debts, with insufficient corrective steps taken and no documented resolution plan. His financial difficulties were attributed to unemployment, but no details were provided. He also had a history of alcohol abuse, including seven alcohol-related incidents between 1975 and 2013, a 2007 diagnosis of alcohol dependency, and continued consumption until at least June 2014.
Furthermore, the applicant used marijuana from approximately 2005 until at least June 2014, including while holding a security clearance, and was involved in two drug-related incidents between 2002 and 2004. The judge found that the applicant failed to mitigate concerns related to his financial irresponsibility, ongoing alcohol dependency, and drug use, leading to the denial of his security clearance.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant admitted to accumulating over $28,000 in delinquent debts without a plan to resolve them.
- He has a long history of alcohol-related incidents and was diagnosed as alcohol dependent, continuing to drink excessively after treatment.
- The applicant used marijuana illegally while holding a security clearance and provided no assurances of ceasing its use.
- He deliberately omitted significant information regarding his financial and substance abuse issues in his security clearance application.
Conditions Referenced
- DC ¶ 19(a)appliedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- DC ¶ 19(c)appliedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- DC ¶ 22(a)appliedAlcohol-related Incidents Away From Work
- DC ¶ 22(c)appliedHabitual or Binge Consumption of Alcohol
- DC ¶ 22(d)appliedDiagnosis of Alcohol Abuse or Dependence
- DC ¶ 22(f)appliedRelapse After Diagnosis of Alcohol Abuse or Dependence
- DC ¶ 25(a)appliedAny Drug Abuse
- DC ¶ 25(c)appliedIllegal Possession of Drugs
- DC ¶ 25(g)appliedIllegal Drug Use After Being Granted a Security Clearance
- DC ¶ 15appliedConduct Involving Questionable Judgment
Key Rule Quoted
“Eligibility for access to classified information is denied.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedAug 26, 2014
- Answer filedJan 30, 2015Applicant elected to have the case decided on the written record.
- Hearing held—Case assigned on 09/01/2015.
- Decision dateApr 21, 2016
Cite For
- Failure to Mitigate Financial Issues Under Guideline F
- Ongoing Alcohol Dependency and Drug Use Under Guidelines G and H
- Deliberate Omissions in Security Clearance Applications Under Guideline E