WASHINGTON — The Secret Service has placed an agent on administrative leave following allegations that the employee sexually abused an aide to Vice President Kamala Harris during a recent trip.
The incident, which the Secret Service confirmed it is investigating, allegedly took place last week in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The visit was to offer advance security and preparation for a Harris campaign stop that did not take place, according to Real Clear Politics, which broke the story.
The aide works for the vice president’s office rather than the Harris campaign.
According to Real Clear Politics, the Secret Service agent under investigation dined and drank beer with Harris staffers at a restaurant after work. The agent then joined the party in the Harris staffer’s hotel room, where the alleged attack occurred. According to the publication, others were present when the incident occurred.
In a statement to USA TODAY, a Secret Service official stated that its Office of Professional Responsibility “is investigating a misconduct allegation involving an employee,” and that the Secret Service holds its staff to the highest standards. The employee has been placed on administrative leave pending the results of the investigation.”
A representative for Harris’ office declined to provide any information on the incident, but confirmed that the Secret Service informed senior Harris officials of the allegations.
“The Office of the Vice President takes staff safety very seriously,” the spokeswoman stated. “We have no tolerance for sexual wrongdoing. The USSS notified senior OVP authorities of an incident involving an agent and advised them that an investigation had been begun.
The charges come as the Secret Service faces increasing scrutiny for failing to stop a gunman from shooting multiple times at Republican nominee Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, injuring the former president and killing one spectator.
According to a report released on Wednesday by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, the agency’s “failures in planning, communications, security, and resource allocation” for the rally were “foreseeable, preventable, and directly related to the events resulting in the assassination attempt.”