Secret Service Agents Recalled From Colombia
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(Gabriel Vasquez, Creative Commons)
Jon Adler, president of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, stated that the accusations against the agents relate to involvement with prostitutes in Cartagena. The Secret Service’s internal affairs’ Office of Professional Responsibility is investigating the matter.
President Obama is currently in Cartagena for the Summit of the Americas, during which leaders gather to discuss economic policy, including trade.
MSNBC News reports that since the arrival of the Secret Service employees, about a week before President Obama’s arrival, the agents had also “been drinking heavily throughout the week.” According to CNN, "a dozen Secret Service members are being investigated over early findings that they allegedly brought back several prostitutes to a hotel...None of the agents or officers were part of the president's personal protective detail." The report continues:
"There was a dispute between at least one Secret Service member and a woman brought back to his hotel over a request to be paid, the U.S. government sources said. At least one of the women brought back to the hotel complained to police, and complaints were filed with the U.S. Embassy, the sources said."
The unit of agents was recalled for the investigation into the alleged involvement with prostitutes, and was replaced by another. Adler said the Secret Service “responded appropriately” and “is looking at a very serious allegation,” which they need “to properly investigate” in order to “fairly ascertain the merits of the allegations.”
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Comments
As silly as it sounds, this appears to be just an irresponsible misunderstanding.
The quoted passage about the dispute over money is telling; it's not that the agent was trying to avoid paying a known prostitute, but he was (naively) oblivious to the fact that she was a prostitute to begin with when he scooped her at the club and brought her back to the hotel. Given the fact that these agents were seen drinking and partying throughout the week, it's easy to see them getting carried away around some hot chicks and not seeing the hooker through the trees.
It reminds me of a time a friend and I were at a nightclub at one of the beachfront resorts in the Dominican Republic, which I would imagine is comparable to the stomping grounds of these agents in Cartagena. A couple girls instantly approached us when we walked to the bar, we made small talk, and they made it clear that they were ready to go to a hotel immediately. After I excused us from the conversation, my friend wanted to know why I wasn't all over their offer. When informed by me that they were obvious professionals, he responded, "I thought we were just looking extra sexy tonight."