Summary
A 36-year-old male applicant was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline F (Financial Considerations) and Guideline H (Drug Involvement). His history included serious drug abuse, beginning at age 16 with marijuana, followed by cocaine and heroin use over several years, and a felony conviction. Despite admitting his past drug use, he did not provide sufficient evidence of rehabilitation or a favorable prognosis from a qualified professional.
Financially, the applicant had a long history of problems, including a Chapter 7 bankruptcy discharge of approximately $39,000 in 2006. Credit reports from 2013 and 2015 showed 16 delinquent debts totaling $8,680, plus $400 in delinquent income taxes for 2011 and 2012. Many of these issues were linked to his substance abuse.
While he recently engaged a debt consolidation company in March 2015, making an initial payment and setting up monthly deductions for five debts totaling $4,177, the remaining 12 alleged debts, including tax liens, totaling $4,903, remained unaddressed. He had not established a plan for these outstanding debts and lacked a solid track record of consistent debt management. The clearance was denied due to his long history of serious drug abuse, insufficient evidence of rehabilitation, and longstanding financial problems that were only recently and partially addressed.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant has a long history of serious drug abuse, including illegal drug use and a felony conviction.
- He failed to provide sufficient evidence of rehabilitation or a favorable prognosis from a qualified professional regarding his substance abuse.
- The applicant's financial problems were longstanding, and he had only recently begun to address them without a solid track record of managing debts.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 25(a)raisedDrug Abuse
- AG ¶ 25(b)raisedTesting Positive for Illegal Drug Use
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedHistory of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 26(b)(1)appliedDisassociation From Drug-using Associates
- AG ¶ 20(c)rejectedReceiving Counseling for Financial ProblemsInsufficient evidence to establish clear indications that his finances and debts are under control.
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedGood-faith Effort to Repay DebtsLimited efforts at resolving debts without evidence of prior resolutions.
Key Rule Quoted
“The protection of the national security is the paramount consideration.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedDec 12, 2014
- Answer filedDec 18, 2014
- Hearing heldMar 31, 2015
- Decision dateMay 26, 2015
Cite For
- Long History of Substance Abuse Impacting Security Clearance Eligibility
- Insufficient Evidence of Rehabilitation for Drug Involvement
- Recent Financial Issues Without a Solid Track Record of Management