Government

Government Issues New Rules for the Secret Service, as Agent Behind the Scandal Allegedly Identified

(The Blaze/AP) — The Secret Service tightened its conduct rules for agents late Friday to prohibit them from drinking excessively, visiting disreputable establishments while traveling, and bringing foreigners to their hotel rooms, after CNN identified Arthur Huntington as the agent who could be at the center of the scandal.

Reports say the man who allegedly refused to pay his “escort” the agreed-upon sum is married with two home-schooled children, while neighbors and friends say Huntington’s wife leads a Bible study in the neighborhood and describe the family as “very nice.”

The new behavior policies apply to Secret Service agents even when they are off duty while traveling, barring them from drinking alcohol within 10 hours of working, according to a memorandum describing the changes obtained by The Associated Press. In some cases under the new rules, chaperones will accompany agents on trips. The embattled Secret Service director, Mark Sullivan, urged agents and other employees to “consider your conduct through the lens of the past several weeks.”

The Secret Service said it would conduct a training session on ethics next week.

Sullivan said the rules “cannot address every situation that our employees will face as we execute our dual-missions throughout the world.” He added: “The absence of a specific, published standard of conduct covering an act or behavior does not mean that the act is condoned, is permissible, or will not call for — and result in — corrective or disciplinary action.”

“All employees have a continuing obligation to confront expected abuses or perceived misconduct,” Sullivan said.

The agency-wide changes were intended to staunch the embarrassing disclosures since April 13, when a prostitution scandal erupted in Colombia involving 12 Secret Service agents, officers and supervisors and 12 more enlisted military personnel who were there ahead of President Barack Obama’s visit to a South American summit.

Government Issues New Rules for the Secret Service, as Agent Behind the Scandal Allegedly Identified as Arthur Huntington

But the new policies announced Friday raised questions about claims that the behavior discovered in Cartagena was an isolated incident: Why would the Secret Service formally issue new regulations covering thousands of employees if such activities were a one-time occurrence?

“It’s too bad common sense policy has to be dictated in this manner,” said Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “New conduct rules are necessary to preventing more shenanigans from happening in the future, and whether these are the best, and most cost effective, rules to stop future misconduct remains to be seen.”

The new rules did not mention prostitutes or strip clubs, but they prohibit employees from allowing foreigners — except hotel staff or foreign law enforcement colleagues — into their hotel rooms. They also ban visits to “non-reputable” establishments, which were not defined. The State Department was expected to brief Secret Service employees on trips about areas and businesses considered off-limits to them.

During trips in which the presidential limousine and other bulletproof vehicles are transported by plane, senior-level chaperones will accompany agents and enforce conduct rules, including one from the agency’s Office of Professional Responsibility.

In a Wonderland moment, the operator of the “Lips” strip club in San Salvador, Dan Ertel, organized a news conference late Friday and said he didn’t know whether any Secret Service employees were among his customers. Ertel said the club was the only one in the country where prostitutes don’t work. But a dancer who identified herself by her stage name, Yajaira, told the AP earlier in the day that she would have sex with customers for money after her shift ended.

“You can pay for dances, touch a little, but there’s no sex,” she said. “But if somebody wants, if they pay me enough, we can do it after I leave at 3 in the morning.”

The chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., praised the new rules as “very positive steps by the Secret Service to make clear what is expected of every agent and also makes clear what will not be tolerated.”

The Secret Service already has forced eight employees from their jobs and was seeking to revoke the security clearance of another employee, which would effectively force him to resign. Three others have been cleared of serious wrongdoing. The military was conducting its own, separate investigation but canceled the security clearances of all 12 enlisted personnel.

Government Issues New Rules for the Secret Service, as Agent Behind the Scandal Allegedly Identified as Arthur Huntington

The "escort" allegedly at the heart of the scandal (Photo: NY Daily News via Facebook)

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano assured senators earlier this week that the incident in Colombia appeared to be an isolated case, saying she would be surprised if it represented a broader cultural problem. The next day, the Secret Service acknowledged it was investigating whether its employees hired strippers and prostitutes in advance of Obama’s visit last year to El Salvador. Prostitution is legal in both Colombia and El Salvador.

In a confidential message to senators on Thursday, the Secret Service said its Office of Professional Responsibility had not received complaints about officer behavior in El Salvador but would investigate.

“Fifteen years in business, it’s the one club in this country that does not prostitute the girls,” said Ertel, the owner of Lips, at his news conference. “Look, every guy that comes in there propositions the girls, and the answer is always going to be ‘no.’ Was there Secret Service in there? I have no idea.”

On Capitol Hill, early signs surfaced of eroding support for the Secret Service director. Grassley said Sullivan’s job could be secure if the scandal were an isolated incident. “But if it goes much deeper, you know, nothing happens or nothing‘s changed in Washington if heads don’t roll,“ Grassley said on CBS ”This Morning.”

A member of the House Homeland Security Committee, Rep. Chip Cravaack, R-Minn., warned against a “knee-jerk reaction” and urged a full investigation. But he compared Sullivan as the agency’s director to the captain of a foundering ship: “I’m a Navy guy,” he said. “The captain of the ship can be in his cabin sleeping and if the ship runs aground the captain of the ship is responsible. I‘m not saying anybody’s head should roll here, but I expect the captain of the ship to do the right thing.”

The White House said Friday that the president remained supportive of Sullivan and confident in the capabilities of the Secret Service.

The fallout from the scandal remained raw. When an AP reporter on Friday visited the home in Maryland of Gregory Stokes, who lost his job in the agency’s first round of disciplinary action, someone in the home called police, who asked the AP to leave his property.

Comments (68)

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  • Razlord
    Posted on April 28, 2012 at 11:58am

    Ron Paul Warns of False Flag in Town Hall Speech
    http://www.infowars.com/ron-paul-warns-of-false-flag-in-town-hall-speech/

    Report Post »  
  • Brain-Jockey
    Posted on April 28, 2012 at 11:49am

    I‘m wondering why the writer of the article felt it relevant to say this agent’s kids were home-schooled. In other articles, does she identify whether the children of the person in question is in public school? Catholic school? It may be done out of the perception (which may be true for some) that home-school families raise their kids to a higher moral standard, yet I think all it achieves here is to diminish the reputation of home school families.

    Report Post » Brain-Jockey  
  • Gamaliel
    Posted on April 28, 2012 at 11:11am

    The CNN piece about the Huntington family is exceptionally sleazy. It brings me back to my first gut reaction when this story hit; that this is a set-up against the Secret Service. If it is, did they go after the most decent guy in the Secret Service?

    Report Post »  
    • HorseCrazy
      Posted on April 28, 2012 at 11:34am

      it was beyond disgusting. they have children who live in this home why are they there what is the matter with them. just no ethics, common sense or anything decent.

      Report Post »  
    • PIGSWILLNEVERFLY
      Posted on April 28, 2012 at 11:42am

      Done to cover-up the real story….Cuba not being allowed into this South American meeting. Obama and this Admin. will throw anyone and everyone under the bus for his coming Caliphate.

      Report Post » PIGSWILLNEVERFLY  
  • BeingThere
    Posted on April 28, 2012 at 10:35am

    Oh, I see, so all they needed was new rules! LOL

    Report Post » BeingThere  
    • MAMMY_NUNN
      Posted on April 28, 2012 at 1:31pm

      If they are in a foreign country wouldn’t the agents be foreign while the prostitutes would be native ?

      Report Post »  
  • Individualism
    Posted on April 28, 2012 at 10:24am

    Hey let people enjoy themselves and it does create jobs

    Report Post » Individualism  
  • Individualism
    Posted on April 28, 2012 at 10:17am

    they should just legalize it and let people enjoy themselves.

    Report Post » Individualism  
    • Gamaliel
      Posted on April 28, 2012 at 4:01pm

      Sorry, not much “enjoyment” for the women being used. Many women/girls in prostitution were victims of sex abuse as children. Torture, rape, murder, lots of non pleasure for the women/girls.

      Report Post »  
  • watashbuddyfriend
    Posted on April 28, 2012 at 9:41am

    Sorry, but, those simple rules of conduct should have been in place some 100-years ago!

    Report Post »  
    • barber2
      Posted on April 28, 2012 at 9:53am

      Agree. Guess for our non-church going youth, these rules are ” news ?” Too much time with Rules For Radicals and too little schooling in the old Ten Commandments. Am sure Obama was exposed to much more Saul Alinsky than Saul of Tarsus !

      Report Post »  
    • 1947
      Posted on April 28, 2012 at 10:18am

      CNN you are on the ball once again BULLing the people of America instead of trying to uncover the true about the Obama Papers. I wonder if he’s paying CNN to stay of his back.

      Report Post »  
    • G-WHIZ
      Posted on April 28, 2012 at 10:31am

      Due to our great education/indoctrination for over 50yrs, their parents never knew how to teach this simple group of ethics to their spoild-rotten-apple kids. Then they grew up(reeealy?) and joined a government-job, instead of a real groath-type-private job, and thought they could still have all the “sex and drugs(alcohol) and rock-n-roll they stole when younger at home.

      Report Post »  
  • barber2
    Posted on April 28, 2012 at 9:30am

    Guess with the Obama Media Machine, there is no more “Secret” service. Nothing is secret anymore…except what Big Brother WANTS to be kept secret ( like those school records for one ! ). The Media Rules with 99% Big Lies and secrets necessary for fulfilling the “ secret ” agenda. May 1 is fast approaching. Hope the police and FBI are in on that ” secret.”

    Report Post »  
    • 1947
      Posted on April 28, 2012 at 10:30am

      The real SCANDEL here is not with the Secret Service but Obama. He and his staff have worked hard to find the right moment to replace the Presidential Guard with his own ARMY ( saw with interest )…… and Obama who is Frank M. Davis…… ?

      Report Post »  
  • TWO BITS
    Posted on April 28, 2012 at 9:26am

    It does not matter whether this was an isolated incident or systemic. Secret Service agents are government employees with one of the most vital assignments of this country. The necessity to issue behavioral mandates should not be tolerated, and Mark Sullivan’s leadership should be examined with the same scrutiny as the agents involved.

    Report Post » TWO BITS  
  • barber2
    Posted on April 28, 2012 at 9:25am

    Don’t you wonder what American icon the Obama administration will target next ? Remember the Left’s old ” General Be-tray-us ?” That was just a hint of what was to come . Will they just do a redo of the military ? I’m betting the NRA since guns were part of the Zimmerman deal. They’ve already hit the flag with that face of Obama on it . Let’s review: the military , the Catholic Church, the banks, CEOs, the rich, conservative women, every potential Republican candidate, Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, George Bush, Dick Cheney, and now the Secret Service. ( I‘m sure I’ve omitted some Lefty target . There have been soooo many ! ) And their MEDIA Greek Chorus just sings along. Disgusting.

    Report Post »  
    • momrules
      Posted on April 28, 2012 at 9:40am

      You forgot us Barber2. You know, the patriotic, Bible totin’ gun clingers. DHS put us on the terrorist watch list.

      Report Post »  
    • barber2
      Posted on April 28, 2012 at 9:51am

      MOM: You are so correct . Maybe we are the next to be targeted ? You know that terrible rabble : the Tea Party/white / old/ conservative / traditional value/ church going / tax paying “ dangerous enemy ” of the Obama administration ??

      Report Post »  
    • drbage
      Posted on April 28, 2012 at 11:53am

      Right on! It is amazing, but not shocking that this is happening, but pardon my cynicism, it all seems a bit too convenient–another distraction to ensure the One’s re-election. An institution with its long, storied history suddenly is made to seem like a bunch of testosterone-charged frat boys??? Given Brazil’s love/hate relation with the US, it just now comes to light that this woman was thrown out of a moving vehicle after being used or any other of the incidents from all over Latin America. Could this all be just a ruse to replace the SS with members from the NBP, Farrakhan’s Nation of Islam guards, or Holder’s DOJ Peacekeepers?

      Report Post »  
  • kickagrandma
    Posted on April 28, 2012 at 9:24am

    Have you seen this?

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhXGkeMdOJs

    Report Post »  
  • SteamedinMichigan
    Posted on April 28, 2012 at 9:24am

    Gotta say I’m still steamed about the Secret Service. The elites of the elites. Reduced to cannon fodder for the Left’s consumption. What a terribly gloomy end to a stellar shining organization. I heard something the other day that keeps rattling around in my head and bears further consideration – the people walking the halls of power today are the same ones, sans tie-dyed shirts, who smoked joints and spit on our Troops as they returned home from Vietnam, calling them baby killers. Is it any wonder that our government (run by these 1960 era rejects) has zero discipline? It’s a sad, sad day to see even the Secret Service reduced to a soft, humiliated group of undisciplined hacks through the degradation at the TOP

    Report Post » SteamedinMichigan  
  • Searchingforthelight
    Posted on April 28, 2012 at 9:06am

    U. S. National Tax dollars going to prostitution. Where does the sin lie?

    Report Post »  
  • MadenNZ
    Posted on April 28, 2012 at 9:06am

    What a bloody shameful mess! I feel sorry for the wives, children and families of these despicable, groveling creeps they believed were protecting the potus. Time to clean this house out, get rid of the excess trash from top to bottom.

    Report Post » MadenNZ  
  • Stiggs
    Posted on April 28, 2012 at 9:04am

    IMO, this familial distraction‘s a blatant attempt to focus Americans’ attention away from the plain and simple fact that there is a distinct lack of professionalism in this department of the government. Do they not have their employees sign an agreement of conduct when taking such a position? Don’t these employees know that their positions involve a higher standard of behavior than more ordinary positions of employment?

    Criminy…is there not a wisp of common sense anywhere to be found?

    Report Post »  
    • Mil-Dot
      Posted on April 28, 2012 at 9:20am

      Every single stinking govt agency from local municipalities to the top of the feds has an “us vs them” entitlement mentality. They really do think that we work for them and that they deserve any and all of the perks they steal from us. Govt is like a disease. It just grows and grows until the host is destroyed. One day it will result in a confrontation or civil war. There is no doubt about it. The money is gone. OUR money has been stolen and wasted.

      Report Post »  
  • barber2
    Posted on April 28, 2012 at 8:55am

    Oh . So what else will the Democrat Character Assassination Squad tell us about this agent ? Besides the home schooled children, the flag in the front yard, and the wife’s Bible study ? Let me guess, he is white, he belongs to the NRA , is a Tea Party member, was born in Texas, was hired under George Bush, and loves apple pie ? Give me a break. This administration grows more dangerous by the day….

    Report Post »  
    • momrules
      Posted on April 28, 2012 at 9:03am

      Great minds and all of that Barber2………I would sure like to hear Huntington’s side of the story but as usual they leaked a name, the media ran with a story and many in America will just believe what they hear or read from the talking heads.

      Report Post »  
    • barber2
      Posted on April 28, 2012 at 9:13am

      MOM: It’s Zimmerman all over again: Trial/ guilt by Media. The Obama administration is second only to Hitler in having a complicit propaganda tool in the media. Just another Lefty ” General-Betray-Us ” smearing of an American icon, the Secret Service. Soros. MediaMatters. MoveOn. The Democrat Characterization Squad firing one round of destruction after another. Sure would like to know what our military and secret service agents are really thinking.

      Report Post »  
  • soybomb315
    Posted on April 28, 2012 at 8:53am

    i think the president should have to hire his own private security. maybe then we would have presidents with less ego and make fewer trips around the world to meet with their globalist buddies. if you want to restore liberty, make the president less important

    Report Post » soybomb315  
  • doomytram
    Posted on April 28, 2012 at 8:49am

    Communist News Network will get there Man…. Leftist loathe home school Christian Values.

    Report Post » doomytram  
    • HorseCrazy
      Posted on April 28, 2012 at 11:36am

      yes they sure do. any chance they get to further a families misery while throwing in the word Christian or Bible as many times as possible

      Report Post »  
  • Baddoggy
    Posted on April 28, 2012 at 8:43am

    The Secret Service made a hormone…They refused to pay her…

    Report Post » Baddoggy  
    • shammo
      Posted on April 28, 2012 at 10:43am

      Are you talking about aunt Jemima? I heard her moaning from Spain!

      Report Post »  
    • Razlord
      Posted on April 28, 2012 at 12:03pm

      oldies , but goodies

      Report Post »  
  • Fipper
    Posted on April 28, 2012 at 8:38am

    Good God, leave the families alone. They have been embarassed enough and should not be put in the spotlight for the failures of the husband. It is also too funny that they have to be told not to get in this type of situation. Maybe they should test them on how much common sense they have.

    Report Post »  
    • jujubeebee
      Posted on April 28, 2012 at 9:57am

      Yes, I agree. The families have had alot to deal with and don’t deserve it.

      Report Post »  
  • momrules
    Posted on April 28, 2012 at 8:33am

    Something about this whole scandal still does not seem right to me. I don’t trust the *official* story and now they have outed their goat, Arthur Huntington, and dragged his family into it.

    Too many agents involved as well as military personel.

    Why should we trust reports about the previously clean Secret Servive Agency from the Obama White House?

    Report Post »  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on April 28, 2012 at 9:10am

      I agree with you Mom, still doesn’t pass the smell test.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
  • kickagrandma
    Posted on April 28, 2012 at 8:30am

    Well, we are all shocked that the “investigation” shows that the ss agent involved is married to a CHRISTIAN woman who teaches BIBLE STUDY and home schools. Yes, indeed. Those results of the “investigation” by the godless group currently in power really stun us. NOT AT ALL, you lying ____.

    Come on, AMERICANS. PRAY HARD. We are in the last battle for AMERICA‘s soul and the souls of many friends and family members and even people we don’t know, but GOD knows and wants HOME with HIM forever.

    Those who don’t believe WILL BE LEFT BEHIND and will be so horrified at what happens after those of us they so willfully ridicule are gone HOME (that’s UP not “down”).

    Report Post »  
    • momrules
      Posted on April 28, 2012 at 8:37am

      That little side note about the Christian wife jumped out at me too. Something else for the Godless left to use and sneer about.

      Report Post »  
    • grimmy
      Posted on April 28, 2012 at 9:13am

      @Kickagrandma.
      No disrepect, but prayer alone is NOT what we need right now.What keeps going through my mind is the old adage, “praise the lord and pass the ammo”.Believe me, it will come to that as long as this president and his goons are in power……

      Report Post »  
    • kickagrandma
      Posted on April 28, 2012 at 9:27am

      @ GRIMMY ~~~ No disrespect taken. We , too, are locked and loaded. ; )

      Report Post »  
    • celestialfire
      Posted on April 28, 2012 at 11:12am

      Typical Alinsky tactic, using the original event and changing up the narrative to make it a double whammy by going after the tried and true favorite, Christians. How rich, using the Christian wife who leads Bible study, and Home Schools her children. What a gimme for the left to set up a new warson home schooling while destroying a family. They have no shame, God help these people.

      Report Post »  
  • doomytram
    Posted on April 28, 2012 at 8:29am

    CNN is doing what they do. The Commie Networks… a knock on Home Schooling? Maybe, the public school system are terrible…we all know that..

    Report Post » doomytram  
  • shammo
    Posted on April 28, 2012 at 8:25am

    Monks are now being recruited to guard the president.

    Report Post »  
  • doomytram
    Posted on April 28, 2012 at 8:23am

    We don’t need four hundred people going ahead two weeks to protect the President. What a waste of money we don’t have…Crack down on SS and whores is where we are at though…. how do you not laugh…when you look the clown in the white house.

    Report Post » doomytram  
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