PSH-24-0160 - In the Matter of Personnel Security Hearing

On January 10, 2025, an Administrative Judge issued a decision recommending that an Individual's access authorization be denied. The Individual had been diagnosed by a DOE Contractor Psychologist with Delusional Disorder and Adjustment Disorder. At the hearing, the Individual presented evidence that a psychiatrist had evaluated him and found that his paranoia was subclinical because his beliefs were not incontrovertibly contradicted by the facts and because his behavior was non-bizarre. The DOE Contractor Psychologist presented testified that non-bizarre behavior is one of the diagnostic criteria for Delusional Disorder and that contradiction by facts does not have to be incontrovertible for a belief to be delusional. The Individual testified that he was being target and threatened by former colleagues and a foreign government but was unable to show reasonable facts that supported his beliefs. The Administrative Judge held that the Individual's psychological condition impaired the Individual's judgment, trustworthiness, and reliability. Accordingly, she recommended that his access authorization be denied.  (OHA Case No. PSH-24-0160, Martin)