PSH-19-0049 - In the Matter of Personnel Security Hearing

On December 18, 2019, an Administrative Judge determined that an individual's access authorization under 10 C.F.R. Part 710 should not be granted. The Individual is employed by a DOE contractor in a position that requires him to hold a DOE security clearance. The Individual completed a Questionnaire for National Security Positions (QNSP). In the course of an investigation into the Individual, the Local Security Office (LSO) learned derogatory information about the Individual's alcohol use. As a result, a DOE consulting psychologist (the Psychologist) evaluated the Individual in March 2019. The Psychologist diagnosed the Individual with Alcohol Use Disorder-Severe. During the hearing, the Individual testified that he had been abstinent from alcohol for approximately nine months, had seen a counselor, and had attended some AA meetings; however, he had yet to retain a sponsor or begin fully working through the 12 Steps. The Individual had completed one long-term alcohol detection test in nine months, despite being advised to complete one every six weeks for nine months. After reviewing the evidence and hearing testimony, the Administrative Judge determined that the Individual had not resolved the security concerns associated with Guideline G. Accordingly, she concluded that the Individual's access authorization should not be granted. OHA Case No. PSH-19-0049 (Kimberly Jenkins-Chapman).