Were Colombian prostitutes Russian spies? Senator insinuates country is 'famous for that to get information out of us'
By Daily Mail Reporter
Even as President Obama has labelled the Secret Servicemen embroiled in the Colombian prostitute scandal as ‘knuckleheads,’ Sen. Chuck Grassley suggested there may be more than meets the eye to the alleged sex workers.
Speaking to Radio Iowa, Sen. Grassley hinted that the women in question could be Russian spies.
He said: ‘We’re looking at something that is very, very serious when national security might not be protected properly.’
The senator continued: ‘Who knows who might be using prostitutes? The Russians are famous for that to get information out of us.’
The Secret Service investigated 12 people in connection with the Cartagena, Colombia incident. Six others were forced out last week and one other employee was cleared.
As many as 20 prostitutes were involved in the group, officials said, and none are believed to be underage.
On Monday, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said an investigation had cleared all of Obama's own political staff of wrongdoing.
'There was no indication that any member of the White House advance team engaged in any improper conduct or behaviour,' Mr Carney said.
The Iowa Republican wrote in a letter Monday that he demanded answers from the White House, after they cleared part of the Secret Service of any involvement.
Knuckleheads: President Obama told Jimmy Fallon that the Secret Service Colombian prostitution scandal should not reflect on the whole agency
Knuckleheads: President Obama told Jimmy Fallon that the Secret Service Colombian prostitution scandal should not reflect on the whole agency
Captive audience: Earlier in the day, Mr Obama spoke at the University of Colorado Boulder
Captive audience: Earlier in the day, Mr Obama spoke at the University of Colorado Boulder
He was quick to criticise the fraternal nature of the agency, saying on Radio Iowa: ‘You’ll find a lot of problems come from a culture within the agency.
‘I don’t think the Secret Service would have that sort of a culture, but this may be the tip of the iceberg.’
The senator made clear that he was less concerned with the prostitution allegations than he was with the president’s own security.
Centre of scandal: Sex worker Dania Suarez, 24, claimed she made a scene when a Secret Service agent did not give her enough money
‘The issue here isn’t just people messing around with prostitutes, the issue is the security of the president of the United States and the issue is any national security implications that it might have because of the secrecy and the documents and things of that nature.’
Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont, called Sen. Grassley’s request for an outside inquest purely political.
Obama brands Secret Service officials embroiled in Colombian prostitution scandal 'knuckleheads'... as three more agents are forced out
White House clears its staff of wrongdoing as Colombian prostitution scandal ensnares 12th military serviceman... bringing the number of government officials to 24
He told CNN: ‘I’m a little frustrated when anybody tries to make politics out of this. The fact of the matter is, (the White House) is being totally transparent on this.’
The scandal erupted after a fight over payment between a Colombian prostitute and a Secret Service employee spilled into the hallway of the Hotel Caribe in Cartagena.
A dozen military personnel have also been implicated and Defence Secretary Leon Panetta said this week they have had their security clearances suspended.
Obama acknowledged Tuesday that the scandal was 'a little distracting' and pressed for 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.
'A couple of knuckleheads shouldn't detract from what they do,' Obama added. 'What these guys were thinking, I don't know. That's why they're not there anymore.'
Even as Obama spoke, officials on Capitol Hill were probing for any misconduct in the agency in the past decade and girding for the first public accounting of the incident that embarrassed the Obama administration.
A dozen Secret Service personnel and another 12 military enlistees preparing for Obama's visit to Cartagena have been under investigation for cavorting with prostitutes.
As many as 20 prostitutes were involved with the group, officials say, and none are believed to be underage.
Local law enforcement intervened on the prostitute's behalf during the fight over payment. Paid sex is legal in Cartagena but violates codes of conduct for U.S. personnel who were working there.
The Colombia scandal has been widely denounced by official Washington, but it's a delicate political matter in an election year with the presidency and congressional majorities at stake.
All sides have praised Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan's swift action and thorough investigation, in part because he's spent significant time keeping key lawmakers in the loop.
Pentagon officials too are investigating and are expected to brief Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin and ranking Republican John McCain on Wednesday.
Even so, at least four congressional committees are investigating on the grounds that letting foreign nationals near U.S. personnel with sensitive information about the president's visit is a national security risk.
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is expected to face tough questions Wednesday from the Senate Judiciary Committee on such matters as whether the agency's inspector general has launched an independent investigation.
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