Sept. 25 (UPI) — The U.S. Secret Service placed an agent on administrative leave after a staffer for Vice President Kamala Harris accused the agent of sexual misconduct while in Wisconsin.
The agent and Harris’ aide were in Green Bay during the past week as part of an advance team when the alleged sexual misconduct occurred.
“The U.S. Secret Service Office of Professional Responsibility is investigating a misconduct allegation involving an employee,” a Secret Service spokesperson told CBS News. “The employee has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.”
The agent was intoxicated when the incident occurred and the Secret Service removed the agent from Harris’ security team.
The Secret Service also removed the agent’s badge and sidearm.
Harris eventually canceled the visit to Green Bay and instead campaigned in Atlanta on Friday.
A spokesperson from Harris’ office acknowledged the incident.
“We have zero tolerance for sexual misconduct,” the spokesperson said in a statement released to media. “Senior [office of the Vice President] officials were alerted by the USSS about and incident involving an agent and informed that USSS initiated an investigation.”
The spokesperson said Harris’ office will not release additional information regarding the incident.
The agent in question and several of Harris’ staffers had finished working for the day when they were dining and drinking in a Green Bay restaurant before the group went to the staffer’s hotel room.
The agent allegedly forced himself on the staffer and groped her in front of witnesses, who kicked him out of the hotel room.
The agent then passed out in the hallway, where the witnesses took photos of him, Real Clear Politics reported.
Secret Service officials ordered the agent to meet with investigators in Washington, D.C., on Monday.
“The U.S. Secret Service Office of Professional Responsibility is investigating a misconduct allegation involving an employee,” a Secret Service spokesperson told Real Clear Politics in a statement.
