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Summary

A 37-year-old database manager was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline E (Personal Conduct), Guideline H (Drug Involvement), and Guideline J (Criminal Conduct). The judge found that the applicant admitted to extensive drug use and intentional falsifications on her security clearance application, raising significant concerns about her judgment and trustworthiness.

Specifically, the applicant intentionally falsified her October 1996 Questionnaire for National Security Positions (SF 86) by answering "No" to questions about drug use in the past seven years or since age 16, failing to report her use of marijuana and crystal methamphetamine. She admitted to lying because she was "scared of not getting [her] clearance." She also intentionally lied to the Defense Investigative Service (DIS) in a sworn statement on January 21, 1997, denying marijuana use since high school and denying ever using other illegal substances. She later admitted to lying because she "didn't think anyone would find out" and only told the truth in a second interview on September 17, 1997, because she "knew the [pending polygraph examination] would find out [the truth]."

The applicant's admitted drug use included marijuana from about 1976 to at least November 1995 to February 1996, an attempt to cultivate marijuana in 1977, one-time use of crystal methamphetamine in 1991, and one-time use of opium and amphetamines in about 1977. The judge determined that the applicant's admissions and explanations did not mitigate the serious nature of her falsifications and drug involvement, leading to the denial of her security clearance.

Why the Applicant Was Denied

• The applicant admitted to extensive drug use over a prolonged period, including marijuana and other illegal substances.
• The applicant intentionally falsified material facts on her security clearance application and during interviews with investigators.
• The applicant's admissions and explanations did not mitigate the serious nature of her falsifications and drug involvement.

Conditions Referenced

Key Rule Quoted

“"the clearly consistent standard indicates that security clearance determinations should err, if they must, on the side of denials."”

Procedural Posture

• SOR issuedOct 27, 1997
• Answer filedOct 31, 1997
• Hearing held—Determined on the written record without a hearing.
• Decision dateApr 9, 1998

Cite For

• Admission of Drug Use as a Significant Factor Under Guideline H
• Intentional Falsification of Information as a Critical Issue Under Guideline E
• The Importance of Credibility and Trustworthiness in Security Clearance Determinations.