DEA chief Michele Leonhart expected to resign over ‘sex parties’ scandal

Agents allegedly attended sex parties in Colombia that were funded by drug cartels

(Getty Images)

Michele Leonhart is expected to resign her post as the chief of the US Drug Enforcement Administration amid a “sex party” scandal that has rocked the agency and caused the US government to doubt her leadership, the Associated Press reported.

Agents working abroad took part in “sex parties” with prostitutes that were funded by the drug cartels they were meant to be battling, according to a Justice Department report.

The DEA agents have denied knowing that the prostitutes were supplied by the cartels, but the department determined that “case files suggest they should have known the prostitutes in attendance were paid with cartel funds”.

The report found that the alleged activity happened over a number of years and that, in addition to the so-called sex parties, the agents were also provided with money, gifts and weapons from cartel members.

President Barack Obama last week appeared to have lost faith in Ms Leonhart’s ability to run the agency.

“We do have concerns about what's been reported by the Office of the Inspector General,” White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said in reference to the alleged sex parties, according to the Associated Press.

The parties allegedly took place at the leased living quarters provided to the agents, meaning that laptops, phones and other devices that contained sensitive state materials could have been compromised.

At one specific “sex party” two DEA agents allegedly solicited prostitutes for a party bidding farewell to a senior DEA agent, the report said, adding that this party likely was paid for by operational funds.

The report also included investigation into the US Marshals, the FBI and the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Bureau.

One FBI supervisor allegedly would show the outline of his genitals to his reporting agents by tightening his pants, the report said. It was three years before that behaviour was report to a superior.

The Justice Department said that, as a result of the report, it is working with the different agencies to promote a zero-tolerance police on sexual harassment and to ensure incidents are reported properly.

The report also promoted US Attorney General Eric Holder to send a Justice Department memo reminding employees not to solicit prostitutes.

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