DOHA
Uptick in Security Clearance Appeal Cases Involving Drug Use
In perusing the Defense Office of Hearing and Appeals cases published from January through March of this year, I have noticed an uptick in the number of cases where the applicant has admitted to use of illegal drugs resulting in a denial of clearance eligibility. Out of 115 appeals, 44
Former Confidential Informant Loses Security Clearance Appeal
A recent Defense Office of Hearing and Appeals (DOHA) case involved a former confidential informant (CI) who was caught selling marijuana at his college and subsequently got roped into becoming an informant by a Special Agent from an unknown agency. The DoD declined to grant him clearance eligibility based on
Felony Road Rage Incident Mitigated by Self-Defense Claims
In one of the more intriguing Defense Office of Hearing and Appeals (DOHA) cases, this security clearance applicant overcame criminal and personal conduct concerns to get eligibility. The Department of Defense initially denied him a clearance based on being arrested in 2022 and charged with two felony counts of aggravated assault with
Interviewing Witnesses at a Security Clearance Denial Appeal Hearing
During a security clearance denial appeal hearing the applicant is allowed to question witnesses, both their own and the Department counsel’s. Prehearing guidance will be provided regarding procedures. The Administrative Judge does not swear in applicants or other witnesses but does remind all parties of the fact it is a criminal offense