Summary
A 52-year-old defense contractor was denied a security clearance under Guideline G (Alcohol Consumption) due to a history of alcohol abuse and two recent DUI convictions. The Statement of Reasons detailed that the applicant consumed alcohol to excess from approximately 1984 until December 12, 1996. Specific incidents included a December 25, 1991 arrest and conviction for driving with a 0.08% or more blood alcohol level, and a December 12, 1996 arrest where he later pled guilty to DUI and driving with a 0.08% or more blood alcohol level with a prior conviction.
Following the 1996 arrest, the applicant received outpatient treatment for alcohol abuse from January 8, 1997, to March 13, 1997. He reported abstaining from alcohol since his most recent arrest and attends Alcoholics Anonymous meetings three to five times per week, also being well-regarded at his workplace.
Despite these mitigating efforts, the judge found that the applicant had not sufficiently addressed the security concerns. The denial was based on his extensive 12-year history of alcohol abuse, the recency of the last alcohol consumption incident (less than eight months prior to the decision), and a failure to provide substantial evidence to rebut the government's prima facie case.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant has a long history of alcohol abuse spanning over 12 years, with two recent alcohol-related convictions.
- The last incident of alcohol consumption occurred less than eight months prior to the decision, indicating ongoing security concerns.
- The applicant failed to provide substantial evidence to rebut the government's prima facie case regarding his alcohol consumption.
Conditions Referenced
- G.1raisedAlcohol-related Incidents Away From Work, Such as Driving While Under the Influence.
- G.3rejectedPositive Changes in Behavior Supportive of Sobriety.While the applicant has shown current sobriety, the judge determined it was too soon to conclude that his alcohol consumption is not of present security significance.
Key Rule Quoted
“Excessive alcohol consumption often leads to the exercise of questionable judgment, unreliability, failure to control impulses, and increases the risk of unauthorized disclosure of classified information due to carelessness.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedMay 22, 1997
- Answer filedJun 20, 1997
- Hearing held—Case determined on a written record.
- Decision dateFeb 9, 1998
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Recent Alcohol-related Convictions
- Impact of Ongoing Alcohol Abuse on Security Clearance Eligibility
- Insufficient Evidence of Rehabilitation in Alcohol-related Cases