Secret Service Agents 'relieved'

[waltky]

Mebbe dey couldn't handle the hooker so dey decided to send in the Marines?...

More military personnel might have been involved in misconduct before Obama’s trip
17 Apr.`12 - A scandal involving prostitutes and Secret Service agents widened Saturday when the U.S. military confirmed five service members staying at the same hotel in Colombia may have been involved in misconduct as well.

Investigators have determined that as many as 20 U.S. Secret Service and military personnel might have been involved in the hotel misconduct in Cartagena, Colombia, as the scandal that erupted during President Obama’s trip to the country last week put high-level officials on the defensive. A preliminary investigation by the Defense Department, which included a review of video from hotel security cameras, found that nine military personnel were possibly involved in the carousing at the center of the probe, congressional sources familiar with the probe said. Already, 11 Secret Service agents have been placed on leave amid allegations they entertained prostitutes, potentially one of the most serious lapses at the organization in years.

Two of the Secret Service personnel are paid at one of the higher levels of the federal pay scale, meaning they are senior officials potentially in supervisory positions, according to a congressional official with knowledge of the investigation. The accusations are triggering scrutiny of the culture of the Secret Service — where married agents have been heard to joke during aircraft takeoff that their motto is “wheels up, rings off” — and raising new questions at both the agency and the Pentagon about institutional oversight at the highest levels of the president’s security apparatus. “We are embarrassed,” Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters in a briefing at the Pentagon. “We let the boss down, because nobody is talking about what went down in Colombia other than this incident.”

At the same time, details emerged about the night of partying Wednesday that led to the scandal. People in Cartagena familiar with the matter said that some of the Secret Service agents paid $60 apiece to owners of the Pleyclub, a strip club in an industrial section of Cartagena, to bring at least two of the women back to the Hotel Caribe, where Obama’s advance team was staying. The following morning, one of the women demanded an additional payment of $170, setting off a dispute with an agent that drew the attention of the hotel, the Cartagena sources said. According to the Pleyclub’s registry at the local chamber of commerce, one of the club’s owners is named Michael Adam Hardy, whom chamber officials described as either American or Canadian.

On Monday, the Secret Service moved to revoke the top-secret security clearances of all 11 men from the agency who are under investigation, spokesman Edwin Donovan said. The revocation of such clearances is not uncommon, he emphasized, and security clearances can be reinstated after internal investigations are complete, depending on the findings. In a letter to all agency employees, Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan stressed that it is “imperative . . . to always act both personally and professionally in a manner that recognizes the seriousness and consequence of our mission.” Sullivan promised a “thorough and fair” investigation and concluded by saying that “in the wake of this embarrassing incident, it is my hope that each of us will be steadfast in our efforts to ensure that our performance and behavior mirror the oath we have sworn to uphold.”

MORE

See also:

Personnel from all service branches questioned in Colombia misconduct
April 17th, 2012 - As many as 10 U.S. military personnel from all branches of the armed forces are being questioned about potential involvement in any misconduct before a presidential visit to Cartagena, Colombia , two military officials told CNN's Barbara Starr.

The military personnel involved were sent to Colombia to support the Secret Service ahead of President Barack Obama's weekend visit to the Summit of the Americas, and Obama has said he expects a "rigorous" investigation.

A military official who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the ongoing investigation told CNN that two of those being questioned are Marines who handle military working dogs. Air Force and Navy personnel, some of whom are believed to be explosive disposal experts, also are being questioned, the official said.

A senior U.S. official told CNN Chief White House Correspondent Jessica Yellin that there were 10 service members being questioned: five Army Special Forces soldiers, two from the Marines, two from the Navy's explosives detection unit and one member of the Air Force.

Military law bars service members from patronizing prostitutes, displaying conduct unbecoming an officer or, for enlisted personnel, conduct "prejudicial to good order and discipline."

Source

 

[Katzndogz]

The secret service was with Biden at the Beverly Hilton last time he went. They searched me, searched my car, and went through my purse before I could get into the restaurant. Rather than the suits, we are used to seeing, these agents were wearing shorts and t-shirts. Fortunately for Biden, LAPD had a K-9 unit there who knew what they were doing and were dressed better.

 

[uscitizen]

The party house atmosphere held by government workers at the GSA is also held by the Secret Service. Why is this a surprise? The secret service just does not take the job of protecting the president seriously anymore. Is this because the president isn't worth their trouble?

If they feel that way they should just find another job.

 

[uscitizen]

Mebbe dey couldn't handle the hooker so dey decided to send in the Marines?...

More military personnel might have been involved in misconduct before Obama’s trip
17 Apr.`12 - A scandal involving prostitutes and Secret Service agents widened Saturday when the U.S. military confirmed five service members staying at the same hotel in Colombia may have been involved in misconduct as well.

Investigators have determined that as many as 20 U.S. Secret Service and military personnel might have been involved in the hotel misconduct in Cartagena, Colombia, as the scandal that erupted during President Obama’s trip to the country last week put high-level officials on the defensive. A preliminary investigation by the Defense Department, which included a review of video from hotel security cameras, found that nine military personnel were possibly involved in the carousing at the center of the probe, congressional sources familiar with the probe said. Already, 11 Secret Service agents have been placed on leave amid allegations they entertained prostitutes, potentially one of the most serious lapses at the organization in years.

Two of the Secret Service personnel are paid at one of the higher levels of the federal pay scale, meaning they are senior officials potentially in supervisory positions, according to a congressional official with knowledge of the investigation. The accusations are triggering scrutiny of the culture of the Secret Service — where married agents have been heard to joke during aircraft takeoff that their motto is “wheels up, rings off” — and raising new questions at both the agency and the Pentagon about institutional oversight at the highest levels of the president’s security apparatus. “We are embarrassed,” Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters in a briefing at the Pentagon. “We let the boss down, because nobody is talking about what went down in Colombia other than this incident.”

At the same time, details emerged about the night of partying Wednesday that led to the scandal. People in Cartagena familiar with the matter said that some of the Secret Service agents paid $60 apiece to owners of the Pleyclub, a strip club in an industrial section of Cartagena, to bring at least two of the women back to the Hotel Caribe, where Obama’s advance team was staying. The following morning, one of the women demanded an additional payment of $170, setting off a dispute with an agent that drew the attention of the hotel, the Cartagena sources said. According to the Pleyclub’s registry at the local chamber of commerce, one of the club’s owners is named Michael Adam Hardy, whom chamber officials described as either American or Canadian.

On Monday, the Secret Service moved to revoke the top-secret security clearances of all 11 men from the agency who are under investigation, spokesman Edwin Donovan said. The revocation of such clearances is not uncommon, he emphasized, and security clearances can be reinstated after internal investigations are complete, depending on the findings. In a letter to all agency employees, Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan stressed that it is “imperative . . . to always act both personally and professionally in a manner that recognizes the seriousness and consequence of our mission.” Sullivan promised a “thorough and fair” investigation and concluded by saying that “in the wake of this embarrassing incident, it is my hope that each of us will be steadfast in our efforts to ensure that our performance and behavior mirror the oath we have sworn to uphold.”

MORE

See also:

Personnel from all service branches questioned in Colombia misconduct
April 17th, 2012 - As many as 10 U.S. military personnel from all branches of the armed forces are being questioned about potential involvement in any misconduct before a presidential visit to Cartagena, Colombia , two military officials told CNN's Barbara Starr.

The military personnel involved were sent to Colombia to support the Secret Service ahead of President Barack Obama's weekend visit to the Summit of the Americas, and Obama has said he expects a "rigorous" investigation.

A military official who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the ongoing investigation told CNN that two of those being questioned are Marines who handle military working dogs. Air Force and Navy personnel, some of whom are believed to be explosive disposal experts, also are being questioned, the official said.

A senior U.S. official told CNN Chief White House Correspondent Jessica Yellin that there were 10 service members being questioned: five Army Special Forces soldiers, two from the Marines, two from the Navy's explosives detection unit and one member of the Air Force.

Military law bars service members from patronizing prostitutes, displaying conduct unbecoming an officer or, for enlisted personnel, conduct "prejudicial to good order and discipline."

Source

so were they secret service or military?

 

[MeBelle]

so were they secret service or military?

Both.

 

[Katzndogz]

The party house atmosphere held by government workers at the GSA is also held by the Secret Service. Why is this a surprise? The secret service just does not take the job of protecting the president seriously anymore. Is this because the president isn't worth their trouble?

If they feel that way they should just find another job.

And give up all the partying?

Not hardly.

 

[Political Junky]

Seems it all came to light because an agent tried to deny a prostitute payment because he shared her with another agent.
I wonder how many divorces will ensue following this wild boy's night out.

 

[waltky]

Uh-oh...

Senator: 'Severe' Punishment for Secret Service Misconduct
April 17, 2012 - The chairman of the Senate's Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committee says any Secret Service member or military staff found guilty of misconduct involving prostitutes in Colombia should be "punished severely."

Senator Joe Lieberman told reporters Tuesday that "compromising positions off-duty" can "create a risk to national security." He said he would be willing to hold a hearing on the incident if Congress "can get something valuable out of it." The ranking Republican on the committee, Senator Susan Collins, says at least 20 foreign women were brought to the hotel in Colombia where alleged misconduct occurred involving Secret Service members, military staff and prostitutes before President Barack Obama's arrival for the sixth Summit of the Americas. She made the announcement Tuesday after Secret Service director Mark Sullivan briefed her on the situation.

Pentagon officials have said at least nine military members may have been involved in the alleged misconduct. The U.S. chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey, said in a press conference at the Pentagon Monday that he was "embarrassed" by the alleged scandal. He said the military arm "let the boss down" by causing a distraction to an important regional engagement for the president. U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta added that it is a "requirement" for our forces to abide by the "highest standard." He said that if found in violation, the people involved in the scandal will be held accountable.

Eleven Secret Service personnel who were stationed in Colombia ahead of the president's visit were sent home and placed on administrative leave pending an investigation that involved prostitution. At least five U.S. military staff assigned to support the Secret Service were confined to their barracks in Colombia after the allegations. The White House said Tuesday Obama has confidence in the Secret Service director and believes he responded swiftly to the incident. The Secret Service has said none of the personnel involved was assigned to protect the president.

Source

See also:

Senator Says at Least 20 Women Involved in Secret Service Scandal
Tuesday, April 17th, 2012 - A U.S. lawmaker on the Senate's Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committee says at least 20 foreign women were brought to the hotel in Colombia where alleged misconduct occurred involving Secret Service members, military staff and prostitutes.

Republican Senator Susan Collins made the announcement Tuesday after Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan briefed her on the situation. Senator Joe Lieberman, the chairman of the Senate's Homeland Security committee, told reporters Tuesday that “compromising positions off-duty” can “create a risk to national security.” He says those who opened themselves to that risk should be “punished severely.” Pentagon officials have said at least nine military members may have been involved in the alleged misconduct.

The U.S. chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey, said in a press conference at the Pentagon Monday that he was “embarrassed” by the alleged scandal. He said the military arm “let the boss down” by causing a distraction to an important regional engagement for the president. U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta added that it is a “requirement” for our forces to abide by the “highest standard.” He said that if found in violation, the people involved in the scandal will be held accountable.

Eleven Secret Service personnel who were stationed in Colombia ahead of President Barack Obama's visit were sent home and placed on administrative leave pending an investigation that involved prostitution. At least five U.S. military staff assigned to support the Secret Service were confined to their barracks in Colombia after the allegations.

The alleged misconduct reportedly took place before President Obama arrived in the resort city of Cartagena Friday for the sixth Summit of the Americas. The White House said Tuesday Mr. Obama has confidence in the Secret Service director and believes he responded swiftly to the incident. The Secret Service has said none of the personnel involved was assigned to protect Mr. Obama.

Source

 

[percysunshine]

Seems sort of unprofessional. If Obama ignores this ... well, he is a moron.

 

[Flopper]

The party house atmosphere held by government workers at the GSA is also held by the Secret Service. Why is this a surprise? The secret service just does not take the job of protecting the president seriously anymore. Is this because the president isn't worth their trouble?

I think they take their job quite seriously. There are nearly a thousand agents sworn to protect the life of the president and his family, with their lives if necessary.

It's unfortunate that a dozen employees should cast a shadow on the service, which maintains some of highest standards of any law enforcement agency. As with any scandal, the incident is being blown out of proportion by the media. It will be interesting to see the results of the investigation.

 

[Flopper]

Some of the agents and military personnel maintain they didn't know the women were prostitutes.
Really? I guess they though they were Girl Scouts and they were arguing over the cost of the cookies.

 

[Trajan]

reports now ( from the ny post) say there was cocaine at the parties too.....in their rooms...Its the Post, so I am loath to give credence to this right now, but if true, these guys need to get bounced right out of the treas. dept.

 

[Flopper]

reports now ( from the ny post) say there was cocaine at the parties too.....in their rooms...Its the Post, so I am loath to give credence to this right now, but if true, these guys need to get bounced right out of the treas. dept.

I wouldn't give too much credence to that story. All treasury dept. personnel are require to take drug tests on a regular basis.

 

[Trajan]

hummmm nice, but, $800.00? don't think so....

 

[sealybobo]

The party house atmosphere held by government workers at the GSA is also held by the Secret Service. Why is this a surprise? The secret service just does not take the job of protecting the president seriously anymore. Is this because the president isn't worth their trouble?

Is this because Mike Pence isn't worth the trouble?

Soldiers Reassigned After Bringing Women To Hotel During Pence Detail | HuffPost

 

[sealybobo]

hummmm nice, but, $800.00? don't think so....

If I had a lot of money I would put down $800 to bump uglies with her.

 

[Aletheia4u]

The OP that had posted the site. That the thread of HUFF POST has been mysteriously deleted.