3 agents out in wake of Secret Service scandal

Associated Press

WASHINGTON

Moving swiftly, the Secret Service forced out three agents Wednesday in a prostitution scandal that has embarrassed President Barack Obama. A senior congressman welcomed the move to get to the bottom of the tawdry episode but warned “it’s not over.”

The agency announced three agents are leaving the service even as separate U.S. government investigations were under way.

The Secret Service did not identify the agents being forced out of the government or eight more it said remain on administrative leave. In a statement, it said one supervisor was allowed to retire and another will be fired for cause. A third employee, who was not a supervisor, has resigned.

The agents were implicated in the prostitution scandal in Colombia that also involved about 10 military service members and as many as 20 women. All the Secret Service employees who were involved had their security clearances revoked.

“These are the first steps,” said Rep. Pete King, R-N.Y., chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, which oversees the Secret Service.

The scandal erupted last week after 11 Secret Service agents were sent home from Cartagena, Colombia.