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WASHINGTON, April 11 (UPI) -- Following a Justice Department report alleging DEA agent sexual misconduct, Attorney General Eric Holder warned DOJ employees that soliciting prostitutes is a violation of policy, whether on or off duty.

In a letter released to DOJ staff Friday, Holder wrote, "I want to reiterate to all Department personnel, including attorneys and law enforcement officers, that they are prohibited from soliciting, procuring, or accepting commercial sex."

"This rule applies at all times during an individual's employment, including while off duty or on personal leave, and applies regardless of whether the activity is legal or tolerated in a particular jurisdiction, foreign or domestic," Holder wrote in his letter.

The caution comes two weeks after a report that found several Drug Enforcement Administration agents had "sex parties" with prostitutes hired by drug cartels.

Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz found 10 agents, most of whom had "top secret" security clearance, had engaged in the parties with prostitutes because it was the local culture. Seven of the 10 agents admitted to being at the parties, most of which took place on U.S. government leased properties. Many of those implicated in the report received minor disciplinary action.

The Washington Post reported Holder and Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates have reviewed the report and concluded the disciplinary process at the DEA was "inadequate." Holder's letter hints at increased oversight for the employees and supervisors.

"Department employees who violate these prohibitions will be subject to suspension or termination. Supervisors and managers are subject to discipline for failing to report suspected violations," Holder wrote. "The Department of Justice is measured by the conduct of those who work on its behalf. The solicitation of prostitution threatens the core mission of the Department, not simply because it invites extortion, blackmail, and leaks of sensitive or classified information, but also because it undermines the Department's efforts to eradicate the scourge of human trafficking."

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Eric Holder to DOJ staff: Never hire prostitutes

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Holder's letter follows a report from the DOJs internal oversight office released last month that contains allegations of sexual misconduct at a number of agencies. | AP Photo

Attorney General Eric Holder had a friendly reminder for Justice Department employees before the weekend: dont solicit prostitutes.

In a letter released to all department staff on Friday, Holder wrote that he want[ed] to reiterate to all Department personnel, including attorneys and law enforcement officers, that they are prohibited from soliciting, procuring, or accepting commercial sex.

Story Continued Below

Holder wrote that, despite prostitution being legal in parts of Nevada and abroad, department employees are expected to refrain, not simply because it invites extortion, blackmail, and leaks of sensitive or classified information, but also because it undermines the Departments efforts to eradicate the scourge of human trafficking.

The letter follows a report from the DOJs internal oversight office released last month that contains allegations of sexual misconduct at a number of agencies within the Department of Justice.

The report contained specific allegations that ten agents within the Drug Enforcement Agency hired sex workers overseas for parties at an agents quarters, leased for him by the U.S. government. According to the Washington Post, these parties took place in Colombia.

Also included in the report are accusations from Colombian officials of DEA agents frequent[ing] a brothel and receiving money, gifts, and weapons from drug cartel members.

Seven of the ten agents accused of attending the parties admitted to their involvement, and the DEA imposed penalties of between two and ten-day suspensions.

As an excuse for his actions, one DEA agent told investigators that prostitution is considered a part of the local culture Holder dismissed this line of reasoning outright in his letter.

See the original post:
Eric Holders Friday memo to DOJ staff: Dont hire ...

Remember when federal law enforcement officers werereportedly engaging in sex parties with prostitutes that were paid for by drug cartels? The Drug Enforcement Administration, along with the FBI and the U.S. Marshal Service, found themselves in hot water over a damning report from the Department of Justices Inspector General. The FBI and U.S. Marshal Service were chastised for refusing to investigate allegations of sexual misconduct and harassment. Yet, the sex party allegations were a throwback to the incident surrounding some members of the Secret Service, and their wild night before the Summit of the Americas in Cartagena, Colombia in 2012. A secret service members refusal to pay one of the prostitutes, which is quasi-legal in Colombia, led to the police being called. The situation devolved quickly from there, and was a major embarrassment to the agency.

Well, Attorney General Eric Holder has had enough. It was time to tell his workers that soliciting prostitutes isnt in accordance with the rules and laws of the Justice Department (is this real life?). Heissued the following memo to clear up any doubt in the matter:

For these reasons, I want to reiterate to all Department personnel, including attorneys and law enforcement officers, that they are prohibited from soliciting, procuring, or accepting commercial sex. This rule applies at all times during an individual's employment, including while off duty or on personal leave, and applies regardless of whether the activity is legal or tolerated in a particular jurisdiction, foreign or domestic.

Department employees who violate these prohibitions will be subject to suspension or termination. Supervisors and managers are subject to discipline for failing to report suspected violations. Suspected violations by Department employees must be immediately reported to the internal affairs personnel of the relevant component's headquarters (or, for those without an internal affairs department, an equivalent entity). Allegations determined to be non-frivolous also must be reported to the component's security personnel. The Department also expects adherence to these standards by its contractors and sub-contractors, grant recipients and sub grant recipients, and cooperative agreement holders, who are subject to all remedies available by statute and regulation when such standards are not met.

Yeah, its come to this.

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Eric Holder To DOJ Workers: Quit It With The Prostitutes ...