Summary
A 44-year-old avionics technician with a high school diploma was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline G (Alcohol Consumption), Guideline H (Drug Involvement), and Guideline J (Criminal Conduct). The applicant had a history of drug and alcohol abuse, criminal conduct, and intentionally falsified information on his security clearance application.
Specifically, the applicant used marijuana from the 1970s until Spring 2000, admitting to use for several months after a December 1999 interview with a Defense Security Service agent. He was arrested for marijuana possession in 1974 and received non-judicial punishment for it in 1976 while in the U.S. Armed Forces. The applicant also consumed alcohol to excess from 1977 to December 1999, admitting to being a problem drinker and an alcoholic during that period. Additionally, in 1994, he was arrested on two consecutive days due to manic episodes after stopping medication for Bipolar disorder, receiving a suspended sentence and a small fine.
Despite reducing his drinking and having no further arrests, the judge found that the applicant did not sufficiently mitigate the concerns. The denial was based on his long history of illegal drug use ending less than two years prior, his admitted alcoholism with no evidence of complete sobriety, and his intentional falsification of information on his security clearance application regarding drug and alcohol-related arrests.
Why the applicant was denied
- The applicant has a long history of illegal drug use, including marijuana, which ended less than two years before the decision.
- The applicant admitted to being an alcoholic and had a serious alcohol problem up to December 1999, with no evidence of complete sobriety.
- The applicant intentionally provided false information on his security clearance application regarding his drug and alcohol-related arrests.
Conditions referenced
- H1raisedDrug Abuse
- G1raisedAlcohol-related Incidents
- E2raisedFalsification of Information
- G3rejectedPositive Changes in BehaviorThe applicant's reduced alcohol consumption did not sufficiently mitigate the concerns.
- J1appliedCriminal Behavior Not Recent
- E2rejectedFalsification of InformationThe applicant's false statements were willful despite his claims of computer literacy issues.
Key rule quoted
“Each adjudication is to be an overall common sense determination based upon consideration and assessment of all available information, both favorable and unfavorable.”
Procedural posture
- SOR issuedAug 16, 2001
- Answer filedSep 15, 2001Applicant requested a decision without a hearing.
- Hearing heldJan 31, 2002
- Decision dateMar 28, 2002
Cite for
- Denial Based on Drug and Alcohol Abuse Under Guidelines G and H
- Intentional Falsification of Information Under Guideline E
- Consideration of Past Criminal Conduct Under Guideline J