PSH-18-0090 - In the Matter of Personnel Security Hearing

On March 20, 2019, an Administrative Judge issued a decision in which she determined that an Individual’s DOE access authorization should be granted. To support invoking Guideline G, the Local Security Office cited a DOE Psychologist’s diagnosis of the Individual with Alcohol Use Disorder, Mild, the Individual’s two alcohol-related arrests, and the Individual’s admissions about his alcohol consumption during the Personnel Security Interview as security concerns. After a hearing, the Administrative Judge found that the Individual had mitigated the security concerns. The Administrative Judge specifically found that, before meeting with the DOE Psychologist, the Individual stopped consuming alcohol and, after meeting with the DOE Psychologist, he sought professional assistance with his recovery. Additionally, the DOE   Psychologist, in giving the Individual a favorable prognosis, testified that the Individual went beyond her expectations in his recovery. The Individual submitted documentation of the completion of an intensive outpatient program, continued aftercare, and four negative PEth tests, demonstrating that he had been in active recovery and sober for eight months. Based on the foregoing, the Administrative Judge found that the Individual mitigated the Guideline G security concerns, and accordingly, determined that the Individual’s access authorization should be granted. OHA Case No. PSH-18-0090 (Brooke A. DuBois).