The Buckingham

Photo Credit: www.abcnews.go.com

Twelve Secret Service employees and eleven military members are said to be involved in the prostitution scandal that erupted last week in Cartagena, Colombia. The major incident took place before President Obama arrived to participate in a meeting of regional presidents last weekend.

So far, six of the Secret Service members have been fired, one has been cleared, and five have been placed on administrative leave.

One of the twelve Secret Service members was said to be staying at a different hotel from the rest, and, specifically, at the Hilton where Obama would be staying. This member is under scrutiny for a separate event that took place on April 9^th, although it is unclear as to what the charges against him pertain to.

Sen. Joe Lieberman assured Fox News that there is “no evidence that information was compromised.” He continued to say that the individuals involved in the scandal “were not acting like Secret Service agents” but “were acting like a bunch of college students away on a spring student weekend.”

David Axelord, an Obama campaign adviser, acknowledged the seriousness of the alleged events. However, he also added that the quality of the service’s work must not be dismissed solely due to such events. “This is quite disturbing. We have to get to the bottom of this, and I’m sure we will,” he further stated to NBC.

Sen. Susan Collins of Maine suggested that enlisting more female Secret Service members may prevent such events from unfolding again the future.

Rep. Peter King, head of the House Homeland Security Committee, stated that “every possible lead is being examined.” More firings are expected to take place soon.