Three more Secret Service employees are being forced out in connection with the prostitution scandal in Columbia, agency assistant Director Paul S. Morrissey said Tuesday evening.
Two resigned and the third had his security clearance revoked, which essentially ends his career at the agency, New York GOP Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, told Fox News.
In addition, two other Secret Service employees were cleared of serious misconduct, which concludes the investigation of the agency employees so far identified in the scandal.
The Secret Service has investigated a total 12 people in connection with the incident. Six others were forced out last week and one other employee was cleared.
In total, nine have been forced out and three have been cleared.
âThe Secret Service is committed to conducting a full, thorough and fair investigation in this matter and will not hesitate to take appropriate action should any additional information come to light," Morrissey said.
The incident was made public April 14 after at least one agent staying in the Caribe Hotel in Cartagena -- as part of advance team for President Obama -- brought a prostitute back to his room. Then a loud disagreement allegedly over her fee spilled into the hallway.
Twelve military personal were also involved in the scandal. The incident reportedly occurred between April 11-12 and included as many as 20 prostitutes.
The president, who was there to attend the Summit of the Americas, acknowledged Tuesday that the scandal was "a little distracting," and he urged people to put the good the Secret Service does in perspective.
"These guys are incredible. They protect me. They protect Michelle. They protect the girls. They protect our officials all around the world," the president said on NBC's "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon."Â
"A couple of knuckleheads shouldn't detract from what they do," he said.
King says one of the resigning employees stayed at the Hilton in Cartagena, where Obama stayed.
Article from FOXNEWS