Ex-Wife Coerces Clearance Holder into Using Drugs

I recently came across an interesting security clearance appeals case from the Department of Energy Office of Hearing and Appeals where a security clearance holder was asked to fill out a new SF86 at the five-year mark after being granted a clearance and did not disclose any illegal drug use on it. It wasn’t until almost a year later he admitted to having used numerous controlled substances while holding a clearance. Here are the highlights of the appeal.

The individual met his now ex-wife in 2020 and they began dating and eventually moved in together. His then wife persuaded him to start using a variety of controlled substances with her, including marijuana, cocaine, Adderall, Ritalin, MDMA, mushrooms, LSD, and Ketamine. He claimed he was not “strong-willed enough” to say no to her and wanted to keep her happy with him. Even though he knew what he was doing was not in line with having a security clearance, he was afraid to report it until he started seeing a therapist to help him enforce boundaries with the ex-wife. He eventually started divorce proceedings, during which he was really concerned the ex-wife would report his illegal drug use.

The DOE appeals judge credited the individual with taking steps to get mentally healthy, abstaining from all illegal drug use, and self-reporting, albeit much later than he should have. However, he also noted the individual concealed his drug use for over two years during which he knew she should have reported it.  Clearance reinstatement eligibility denied based on personal conduct. You can read the entire summary here.