PSH-18-0004 - In the Matter of Personnel Security Hearing

On March 27, 2018, an OHA Administrative Judge issued a decision in which she determined that an individual’s DOE access authorization should be granted. To support the Guideline E security concerns, the LSO relied upon the fact that the individual admitted she was associating with someone who used illegal drugs, since her co-habitant smoked marijuana. In addition, she admitted that she used marijuana between 2008 and 2013 with him. To support the Guideline H security concerns, the LSO relied on the individual admitted illegal drug use, including marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy, and mushroom between 2001 and 2013. After carefully considering the totality of the record, the Administrative Judge found that the individual’s clearance should be granted. The individual ceased all illegal drug use in 2013 and asked her co-habitant not use marijuana in her presence. When the co-habitant realized that his drug use would affect whether the individual would granted a security clearance, he ceased using marijuana as well. Consequently, based on all of the above, the Administration Judge found that the individual's access authorization should be restored. OHA Case No. PSH-18-0004 (Janet R. H. Fishman).