The U.S. Secret Service Cartagena Bombshell

[Secret Service Badge Depiction from wikipedia]

As a former federal prosecutor, for over 20 years, I had the good fortune to work with federal agents from a wide range of agencies, including the I.R.S., F.B.I., A.T.F., and the Secret Service, (among many others).  Based upon my experiences, no agency has more professional, "straight-arrow" agents than the U.S. Secret Service.

So, you can imagine my surprise to hear that, this past week, up to eleven Secret Service agents were sent home from Cartagena, Colombia, based upon reports that someone allegedly refused to pay for the services of a hooker!  Really!?  The agents were reportedly part of the advance team sent down to prepare for President Obama's Latin America diplomatic visit.  Now, a major investigation of the agents (and agency) is under way.

Look, no matter how this investigation turns out, I still maintain that the Secret Service is one of the finest, most professional, law enforcement agencies in the world.  I have seen their work!  They not only protect the President, and other federal officials, but also they are the federal law enforcement agency responsible for investigating counterfeiting and a host of other federal crimes.  So, we need these guys!  Here's hoping that the Secret Service, which was created by President Lincoln in 1865, will soon overcome this embarrassment and continue their tradition of professionalism and  fine work!  What do you think?