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The U.S. Secret Service says 11 employees sent to Colombia ahead of President Barack Obama’s visit have been returned home and placed on administrative leave pending an investigation of alleged misconduct that involved prostitution.
Also Saturday, the U.S. military announced that five military staff assigned to support the Secret Service in its assignment have been “confined to quarters” in Colombia.
White House spokesman Jay Carney said the incident with the military personnel stems from the same episode involving the Secret Service agents.
The alleged misconduct is said to have taken place before Mr. Obama arrived in the resort city of Cartagena Friday.
Carney said the president has confidence in his bodyguards and that the incidents had no impact on presidential security.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.