Attorney Helps Contractor Overcome Long RAP Sheet to Get Clearance

Most of the time when someone is denied security clearance eligibility it is cut and dry as to the reason why and there really is no way to mitigate the issues. There are, however, certain situations where an applicant who was denied security clearance eligibility should consult with a legal professional if they plan on submitting an appeal. A recent Defense Office of Hearing and Appeals case highlighted how hiring an attorney can help. Here is a summary of the appeal.

The applicant was initially denied eligibility based on a lengthy criminal history involving alcohol abuse, illegal drug use, assault, driving under the influence, and destruction of private property over a span of time from 2007 to 2024. He was also diagnosed with having a borderline personality disorder (BPD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). During an interview with mental health staff in 2015, he bragged about having had sex with more than 300 women and had spent $1,000 on prostitutes, which he later stated was not true.

The applicant hired a national security attorney who represented him at his appeal hearing who conveyed to the judge how the applicant had turned around his life, was a well-respected mid-level manager, had completed counseling and therapy and received a positive prognosis for his BPD and PTSD. The attorney also noted that their client had not had any alcohol in the last two years. The judge noted the applicant’s testimony was honest and credible, and based on the whole-person concept, has mitigated the security concerns – clearance eligibility granted! You can read the entire appeal here.