Summary
A 40-year-old married Systems Technician employed by a defense contractor was denied a security clearance due to a long history of illegal drug use and falsification of information on security clearance applications. The denial was based on Guideline E (Personal Conduct), Guideline H (Drug Involvement), and Guideline J (Criminal Conduct).
The applicant admitted to abusing various illegal substances from 1969 to at least July 1996, including weekly marijuana use from age fourteen until 1977, weekly methamphetamine use from age sixteen until 1975, and weekly cocaine use from 1973 until 1983. He also purchased cocaine during this period.
Crucially, the applicant intentionally falsified information on security clearance applications dated July 8, 1987, and January 6, 1996, by failing to disclose the full extent of his drug use and purchases. Although he began a drug rehabilitation program and psychological counseling in November 1996, and expressed commitment to a drug-free lifestyle, the judge found these recent efforts insufficient to mitigate the security concerns raised by his past conduct and repeated falsifications.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant had a long history of illegal drug use, including marijuana and methamphetamine, continuing until July 1996.
- The applicant intentionally falsified material information on multiple security clearance applications regarding his drug use.
- The applicant's recent rehabilitation efforts were deemed insufficient to mitigate the security concerns.
Conditions Referenced
- HraisedDrug Involvement
- EraisedPersonal Conduct
- JraisedCriminal Conduct
- HrejectedDrug InvolvementThe applicant's drug involvement was not recent, but the long history of use was significant.
- ErejectedPersonal ConductNo mitigating conditions applied due to the severity of the falsifications.
- JrejectedCriminal ConductNo mitigating conditions applied due to the nature of the criminal conduct.
Key Rule Quoted
“The adjudicative process is the careful weighing of a number of variables known as the whole person concept.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedOct 15, 1996
- Answer filedNov 19, 1996
- Hearing heldFeb 18, 1997Applicant testified and presented evidence.
- Decision dateAug 8, 1997
Cite For
- Long-term Illegal Drug Use as a Disqualifying Factor Under Guideline H
- Intentional Falsification of Information as a Disqualifying Factor Under Guideline E
- Criminal Conduct Related to Falsification of Security Clearance Applications Under Guideline J