By Jeremy Herb - 04/14/12 09:25 PM ET
Eleven Secret Service agents were placed on administrative leave
Saturday as agency officials investigated allegations they were
involved with prostitutes while on assignment in Colombia.
The agents involved were in Cartagena, Colombia ahead of President
Obama's visit there this weekend, where he is attending the Summit of
the Americas.
The agents implicated in the alleged prostitution scandal were sent back home.
Secret Service Assistant Director Paul S. Morrissey said they were
interviewed in Washington, D.C. on Saturday and placed on
administrative leave.
"This is standard procedure and allows us the opportunity to conduct a
full, thorough and fair investigation into the allegations," Morrissey
said, in a statement.
"The Secret Service demands more from its employees and these
expectations are met and exceeded every day by the vast majority of
our workforce. This incident is not reflective of the behavior of our
personnel as they travel every day throughout the country and the
world performing their duties in a dedicated, professional manner."
The Secret Service has not acknowledged the nature of the alleged
misconduct, but the Washington Post, which first reported the story,
said that Jon Adler, president of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers
Association, said the agency was aware of accusations that at least
one agent was involved with prostitutes at their hotel in Colombia.
White House press secretary Jay Carney said President Obama was made
aware of the incident on Friday, according to reports.
Five U.S. servicemembers may also be involved with the incident, the
Defense Department said Saturday.
The five troops have been confined to their quarters in Colombia, and
are under orders not to have contact with anyone, the Pentagon said.
They have violated their curfew and "may have been involved in
inappropriate conduct."
"The conduct is alleged to have occurred in the same hotel where the
recalled United States Secret Service agents were staying," the
Defense Department said. U.S. Southern Command Commander Gen. Douglas
Fraser announced the military's involvement and said he was
"disappointed by the entire incident and that this behavior is not in
keeping with the professional standards expected of members of the
United States military."
The Secret Service said Saturday that a new team of agents had been
put in place to assist in the president's protection and that at no
time was his security compromised.
Obama is attending the Summit of the Americas in Cartagena, along with
30 other heads of state from the Western Hemisphere.
--
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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