In case you're keeping score at home:
A total of 23 Secret Service and military personnel have now been
implicated in this month's prostitution scandal in Colombia.
Six men have left the Secret Service over allegations of bringing
prostitutes to their hotel, five others remain under investigation,
and one has been cleared of "serious wrongdoing" but faces discipline.
The military is conducting a separate investigation of its 11 personnel.
It all adds up to one big embarrassment for the Secret Service, a
legendary agency that prides itself on professionalism, discretion,
and, above all, staying in the background.
"Since these allegations were first reported, the Secret Service has
actively pursued this investigation, and has acted to ensure that
appropriate action is affected," said Assistant Director Paul S.
Morrissey.
He added: "We demand that all of our employees adhere to the highest
professional and ethical standards and are committed to a full review
of this matter."
The embarrassment isn't over, however, and probably won't be for some time.
Officials still have to deal the drip-drip-drip of details from the probe.
There figure to be more stories like the one about the escort who
protested that one of her clients refused to pay his full bill; or the
Secret Service agent who made catty comments on his Facebook page
about "checking out" 2008 vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin.
And don't forget all those late night talk show jokes.
A Secret Service uniformed officer guards the presidential helicopter
CAPTIONBy Win McNamee, Getty ImagesMembers of Congress may still hold
public hearings on what happened in Colombia, and continue to receive
briefings from Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan.
Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, has written Sullivan, asking to look into
whether still other government employees are involved, perhaps members
of the White House advance staff.
Sullivan's job appears safe. Lawmakers from both parties have
complimented his handling of the investigation to date. The Secret
Service director briefed President Obama on Friday.
As for the military probe, the U.S. Southern Command's Col. Scott
Malcolm, said it involves six members of the Army, two Marines, two
Navy and one Air Force.
"As they are not yet charged with anything specifically, they are not
under any formal restrictive conditions," Malcolm said. "However, they
are required to remain at the home station until the investigating
officer is done with them.''
Security aides and members of Congress said it appears that Obama's
safety was not compromised because of this incident. The alleged party
with prostitutes occurred two days before the president arrived in
Cartagena for last weekend's Summit of the Americas.
Still, the Secret Service faces the prospect of an upset president.
Some Republicans, including Palin, are starting to say that the Secret
Service flap may reflect upon Obama's management style.
In his only public comments on the scandal, Obama said in Colombia on
Sunday that he would indeed be angry if the allegations are proved
true.
"When we travel to another country," Obama said, "I expect us to
observe the highest standards."
Here is last night's full statement from from Assistant Director Paul
S. Morrissey,
U.S. Secret Service Office of Government and Public Affairs:
"The Secret Service's comprehensive investigation into allegations of
misconduct by its employees in Cartagena, Colombia continues.
In addition to the previously announced personnel actions, three
additional employees have chosen to resign.
As a result of the ongoing investigation in Cartagena, a twelfth
employee has been implicated. He has been placed on administrative
leave and his security clearance has been temporarily suspended
pending the outcome of the investigation.
One of the employees involved has been cleared of serious misconduct,
but will face appropriate administrative action.
At this point, five employees continue to be on administrative leave
and their security clearances remain suspended pending the outcome of
this investigation.
The Secret Service continues to conduct a full, thorough and fair
investigation, utilizing all investigative techniques available to our
agency. This includes polygraph examinations, interviews with the
employees involved, and witness interviews, to include interviews
being conducted by our Office of Professional Responsibility in
Cartagena, Colombia.
Since these allegations were first reported, the Secret Service has
actively pursued this investigation, and has acted to ensure that
appropriate action is affected. We demand that all of our employees
adhere to the highest professional and ethical standards and are
committed to a full review of this matter."
More:
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Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy
--
Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy
--
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