Summary
A 53-year-old employee of a defense contractor with a long history of excessive alcohol consumption and multiple alcohol-related incidents was denied a security clearance. Despite a brief period of abstinence and treatment for alcohol dependency, the applicant's continued alcohol use and lack of ongoing treatment raised significant security concerns. The judge found that the applicant did not demonstrate sufficient evidence to mitigate these concerns, leading to the denial of the clearance.
Under Guideline E (Personal Conduct), Guideline F (Financial Considerations), and Guideline G (Alcohol Consumption), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: Applicant deliberately falsified his SCA by not admitting his alcohol-related arrests and convictions (2.a). Delinq medical acct $365 (3.a). Delinq hospital acct $4,422 (3.b). Delinq pathologist's acct $450 (3.c). Delinq hospital acct $50 (3.d). The applicant was arrested on four occasions for driving after drinking (1.a). The applicant consumed large quantities of alcohol (1.b). The applicant's alcoholism affected his work (1.c). The applicant was diagnosed as alcohol dependent (1.d). The applicant was advised to abstain from using alcohol by medical personnel (1.e). The applicant abstained from alcohol for one year (1.f). The applicant currently drinks on weekends (1.g).
The judge denied the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions E2.A7.1.2.1, E2.A7.1.2.3, E2.A7.1.2.6. The judge applied mitigating conditions E2.A7.1.3.2, E2.A6.1.3.6, E2.A6.1.3.3. The decision turned on the following: Applicant has a long history of excessive alcohol consumption and alcohol-related incidents; Applicant was diagnosed as alcohol dependent and failed to maintain sobriety after treatment; There is no evidence that the applicant will succeed in stopping excessive alcohol consumption without intervention.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- Applicant has a long history of excessive alcohol consumption and alcohol-related incidents.
- Applicant was diagnosed as alcohol dependent and failed to maintain sobriety after treatment.
- There is no evidence that the applicant will succeed in stopping excessive alcohol consumption without intervention.
Conditions Referenced
- E2.A7.1.2.1raisedAlcohol-related Incidents
- E2.A7.1.2.3raisedDiagnosis of Alcohol Dependence
- E2.A7.1.2.6raisedContinued Alcohol Consumption After Treatment
- E2.A7.1.3.2rejectedRecent Cessation of DrinkingAlthough the applicant indicated he had recently stopped drinking, it was not sufficient to mitigate the ongoing risk.
- E2.A6.1.3.6appliedGood Faith Efforts to Resolve Financial Issues
- E2.A6.1.3.3appliedFinancial Difficulties Due to Circumstances Beyond Control
Key Rule Quoted
“"No one has a 'right' to a security clearance."”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedAug 29, 2003
- Answer filedSep 3, 2003
- Hearing heldNov 24, 2003
- Decision dateDec 4, 2003
Cite For
- Denial of Clearance Due to Alcohol Dependency Under Guideline G
- Impact of Past Alcohol-related Incidents on Security Clearance Eligibility
- Insufficient Evidence of Rehabilitation in Alcohol-related Cases