Secret Service Investigation Prompts Clearance Suspension

According to a news report, at least 11 US Secret Service agents have had their security clearances suspended pending the outcome of an investigation surrounding the alleged hiring of prostitutes while the agents were on official business in Colombia in mid-April.

A Secret Service spokesman said the men could be exonerated and restored to their full status, or they could fired and possible face criminal charges.

The agents had to turn in their badges and guns, lost facility access permissions, and were placed on paid administrative leave.

ClearedCommunity.com noticed that some news reports (examples: here and here) were confusing the status of the agents’ clearances, saying their clearances already had been “revoked.”

One news report went further than others by suggesting that an extra-marital affair would be a security clearance violation but didn’t include specific language to that effect.

Filed Under: Adverse Actions