PSH-17-0065 - In the Matter of Personnel Security Hearing

On January 3, 2018, an Administrative Judge determined that a request for access authorization under 10 C.F.R. Part 710 should be granted.  The individual is employed by a DOE contractor in a position that requires him to hold a DOE security clearance.  In March 2017, as part of a background investigation, the Local Security Office (LSO) conducted a Personnel Security Interview (PSI) of the individual to address concerns about his alcohol-related arrests and his alcohol use.  In addition to the PSI, the LSO requested the individual’s medical records and recommended a psychological evaluation of the individual by a DOE consultant psychologist (DOE psychologist).  The DOE psychologist examined the individual in June 2017 and memorialized her findings in a report.  According to the DOE psychologist, the individual suffers from Alcohol Abuse.  The DOE psychologist further concluded that the individual is a habitual or binge consumer of alcohol to the point of impaired judgment.  At the hearing, the individual presented sufficient evidence to convince the Administrative Judge that he has abstained from alcohol and has followed the DOE psychologist’s recommendations.  The Administrative Judge was also persuaded by the DOE psychologist’s testimony that the individual has a high probability of maintaining abstinence and has achieved adequate rehabilitation and reformation at this time.  Thus, she was convinced that the individual has sufficiently resolved the DOE’s security concerns under Guidelines G and J.  She therefore concluded that the individual should be granted an access authorization.  OHA Case No. PSH-17-0065 (Kimberly Jenkins-Chapman).