Scandal Brings New Secret Service Rules - East Idaho News
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Scandal Brings New Secret Service Rules

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Getty 120511 ManSunglasses?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1335568446202Hemera/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — No more exotic strip clubs and nights of heavy drinking for Secret Service personnel on foreign trips. And inviting foreign nationals back to the hotel room is now definitely off-limits.

In the wake of a scandal involving prostitutes on a presidential trip to Colombia, Secret Service management Friday issued new regulations for agents on a foreign assignment.

The new rules say:

  • “Patronization of non-reputable establishments is prohibited.”
  • “Alcohol may not be consumed at the protectee hotel once the protective visit has begun.”
  • “Foreign nationals, excluding hotel staff and official counterparts, are prohibited in your hotel room.”
  • “Alcohol may only be consumed in moderate amounts while off-duty on … assignment and alcohol use is prohibited within 10 hours of reporting for duty.”

Several Secret Service agents on a presidential trip to Colombia have lost their security clearances or their jobs over alleged misbehavior said to include heavy drinking at a sex club and hotel, and the use of prostitutes.

The behavior raised ethical and security questions about the agency charged with protecting the president.

The new regulations also will require all agents to complete ethics training before being eligible for travel assignments. In addition, agents will be briefed on standards of conduct before departing on a trip, and a supervisor from the Secret Service’s Office of Responsibility will travel with all agency teams to make sure standards are observed. Finally, the new regulations say that the laws of the United States shall apply to Secret Service personnel while abroad.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

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