Monday, May 21, 2012

3 DEA agents accused of hiring prostitutes during same Colombia trip as Secret Service scandal - @usatoday

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents are being investigated for misconduct for allegedly hiring prostitutes in Cartegana, Colombia, in April, when several Secret Service agents did likewise while preparing for President Obama's summit trip.

Update at 7:38 p.m. ET: The Justice Department inspector general confirms to the Associated Press that Drug Enforcement Administration personnel in Colombia are being investigated for possible misconduct that is unrelated to the Secret Service prostitution scandal at a Cartagena hotel.

Prostitution is legal in Colombia.

Original post: Three Drug Enforcement Administration agents are being investigated for allegedly hiring prostitutes in Cartagena, Colombia, at the same time Secret Services were purchasing sex while preparing for President Obama's April visit, CBS News is reporting.

The DEA agents, who were stationed in Colombia, have been recalled to the United States, CBS says, citing unnamed sources.

Two sources "briefed on the investigation" said the DEA agents were implicated by a Secret Service agent being questioned.

"DEA takes allegations of misconduct very seriously and will take appropriate personnel action, if warranted, upon the conclusion of the [Office of the Inspector General] investigation" by the Justice Department, the agency said in a statement.

Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan will testify Wednesday morning at a hearing by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.