5 Members of the U.S. Military May Also Be Involved in Secret Service Prostitution Scandal

The United States Southern Command announced Saturday that five members of the U.S. Military stationed in Colombia violated curfew, and may be involved in the "inappropriate conduct" that left twelve Secret Service agents embroiled in a prostitution scandal.

(Related: 'Allegations of Misconduct: 12 Obama Secret Service Agents Relieved of Duty in Prostitution Scandal)

Politico reports:

USSOUTHCOM commander Gen. Douglas Fraser said that he is 'disappointed by the entire incident and that this behavior is not in keeping with the professional standards expected of members of the United States military.'

[...]

White House press secretary Jay Carney, in an on-camera briefing in Cartagena Saturday afternoon said regarding the military personnel that 'It is our understanding this is part of the same incident' as the Secret Service.

Carney said the episode 'has not' been a distraction for the president.

According to the Washington Post, the incident began late Wednesday night:

At least one agent had a sexual encounter in his room with a local woman, who demanded to be paid afterward, according to the account. It is unclear whether the agent knew the woman was a prostitute and, when he declined to give her money, the woman reacted angrily and created a disturbance at the hotel, said those familiar with the matter, who have close ties to the Secret Service...

The woman eventually complained to hotel staff and local police authorities, who notified the U.S. Embassy, said the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to speak freely about an ongoing investigation. Two of them learned of details directly from agency employees and the other was briefed on the matter.

The U.S. diplomats informed the Secret Service, and the Colombian authorities provided a list of all U.S. officials in the hotel, including at least five military personnel. Col. Scott Malcom, a spokesman for the Department of Defense, confirmed that five military employees were in violation of a curfew that night. They remain in Cartagena and have been confined to quarters in the hotel.

The president is in Colombia for the weekend to attend the Summit of the Americas.  His comprehensive security plan remains intact, the twelve Secret Service agents having been replaced.

Col. Scott Malcom has assured that "there will be a full investigation" when they return.