Crime Subcommittee to Examine “Agents Gone Wild” in Federal Law Enforcement
Washington, D.C. – On Wednesday, April 15, 2015 at 2:00 p.m., the Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations Subcommittee will hold a hearing titled “Analyzing Misconduct in Federal Law Enforcement.”
Over the past several years, there have been a series of embarrassing incidents of misconduct by federal law enforcement agents at the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security. For example, while United States Secret Service (USSS) employees were in Cartagena, Colombia preparing for a Presidential visit to the Summit of the Americas in April 2012, several USSS employees solicited prostitutes while off duty. In March 2015, the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General issued a report identifying allegations of sexual misconduct at the Justice Department, including that Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents engaged in “sex parties” with prostitutes, some of whom may have been provided by drug cartels. And last week, a DEA and USSS agent were each charged with wire fraud, money laundering and related offenses for stealing digital currency.
At Wednesday’s hearing, the Crime Subcommittee will examine these and other recent incidents involving misconduct by federal law enforcement agents and analyze the processes in place at the agencies for addressing allegations of misconduct. Witnesses for Wednesday’s hearing are:
- Mark Hughes, Chief Integrity Officer, United States Secret Service
- Herman E. “Chuck” Whaley, Deputy Chief Inspector, Office of Professional Responsibility, Drug Enforcement Administration
- John Roth, Inspector General, Department of Homeland Security
- Michael Horowitz, Inspector General, Department of Justice
Chairman Goodlatte: “The majority of federal law enforcement agents serve our nation honorably and bravely. However, in recent years there have been some episodes of agents gone wild, which raise serious concerns about the culture at federal law enforcement agencies, most notably at the Secret Service and Drug Enforcement Administration. One instance of misconduct is one too many and we must ensure that all federal law enforcement officers act professionally and responsibly at all times. Next week, the Crime Subcommittee will examine recent behavioral issues at the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security and the systems in place to deal with allegations of misconduct.”
Subcommittee Chairman Sensenbrenner: “While I have the utmost respect for law enforcement, recent events call into question the ethical standards of our federal law enforcement agencies. From the ATF, to more recently the Secret Service and DEA, I am extremely concerned by the utter lack of discretion shown by some agents. Federal agents must be held to the highest standard and I encourage DOJ to work with Congress to increase accountability and prevent further embarrassment.”
Wednesday’s hearing will take place in 2141 Rayburn House Office Building and will be webcast live at /. Camera crews wishing to cover must be congressionally-credentialed and RSVP with the House Radio-TV Gallery at (202) 225-5214.