PSH-24-0010 - In the Matter of Personnel Security Hearing

On February 20, 2024, an Administrative Judge determined that the Individual's access authorization should not be restored under 10 C.F.R. Part 710. The Individual is employed by a DOE Contractor in a position that requires him to hold a security clearance. The Local Security Office (LSO) received potentially derogatory information. The LSO alleged that following a psychological evaluation in July 2023, the Individual was diagnosed with Alcohol Use Disorder, Severe, without adequate evidence of rehabilitation or reformation. The LSO also noted that the Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) test the Individual took in conjunction with the psychological evaluation confirmed that he had been heavily consuming alcohol, and in August 2019, the Individual was arrested and charged with DUI. Although the Individual successfully completed the terms of his probation, he had not implemented any of the recommendations made by the DOE Psychologist and he continued to consume alcohol. The DOE Psychologist testified that the Individual had failed to shoe any evidence of rehabilitation or reformation. The Individual failed to mitigate the stated concerns. (OHA Case No. PSH-24-0010, Rahimzadeh)