THREE US SECRET Service agents are leaving the service after a prostitution scandal in Colombia which emerged ahead of the US president’s diplomatic mission to the country.
A dozen agents were recalled by the president after allegations agents had engaged the services of prostitutes while in Colombia ahead of the president’s visit.
The Secret Service’s Office of Professional Responsibility is investigating the claims, though the Homeland Security Department has been notified. Secret Service director Mark Sullivan has said he has also referred the case to an independent government investigator.
In a statement, the Secret Service said that one supervisor retired, another is being fired, and a third employee who is not a supervisor has resigned. Eight employees remain on administrative leave.
At least ten military personnel are also being investigated for misconduct over last week’s allegations.
The NYT reports that the scandal came to light after a dispute arose over how much money was owed to one of the women involved. The dispute grew to involve another prostitute, local police and more US agents.
The woman initially involved in the dispute told the paper that the agent she met did not tell her that he worked for the US president.
- Additional reporting by the AP
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