PSH-24-0012 - In the Matter of Personnel Security Hearing

On February 20, 2024, an Administrative Judge (AJ) determined that an Individual's access authorization under 10 C.F.R. Part 710 should not be restored. 

The Individual reported that police had issued two summons for his arrest for failure to appear in court . The Individual had received a citation for having an abandoned motor vehicle in his driveway. He had not been aware that these citations had been issued to him, because they had been mailed to him and he had stopped getting his maim from his mailbox because he had developed a fear of going to his mailbox. 

A DOE Psychiatrist examined the Individual and concluded that the Individual had an anxiety disorder which affected his judgement and reliability. The Psychiatrist further diagnosed the Individual with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) since the Individual had previously been treated for multi-substance abuse, and had begun using alcohol somewhat heavily again after 19 years of sobriety.

The Psychiatrist had set forth a number of treatment recommendations for both disorders in his report . However, the Individual did not follow any of those recommendations. Not had the Individual attempted to obtain any other form of treatment for his disorders. At the hearing the Individual essentially argued that he knew himself better than the psychiatrist and that he was convinced that he is ok.

The AJ found that the Individual had exhibited markedly poor judgment by failing to either obtain treatment for his AUD or a professional evaluation of his current alcohol use to ensure that it is safe and under control and by failing to obtain treatment for his fear of his mailbox.

The AJ therefore concluded that the Individual's access authorization should not be restored. (OHA Case No. PSH-24-0012, Fine)