WASHINGTON — Embarrassed over a Colombia sex scandal, the US Secret Service released new conduct guidelines Friday that forbid agents from visiting “non-reputable establishments” or bringing foreigners to their hotel rooms.
The “enhanced standards of conduct,” which are effective immediately, also forbid agents in the presidential protection force from consuming alcohol within 10 hours of reporting for duty, and require trips to be staffed by a supervisor from the agency’s Office of Professional Responsibility.
The rules were disseminated two weeks after more than two dozen Secret Service agents and military personnel were sent home from Cartagena, Colombia, accused of consorting with prostitutes, including bringing sex workers to their hotel rooms, in the run-up to a visit by President Barack Obama.
Eight agents have since been dismissed, and investigations into the actions by the agents and some 12 military personnel are ongoing.