All redactions in this document are taken pursuant to FOIA exemptions (b)(6) and (b)(7)(C).

Any additional exemptions are marked near the appropriate redaction.

' Office ofInspector General - Investigations
U.S. Department of Homeland Security

()

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Homeland
Security

MEMORANDUM OF ACTIVITY
Type of Activity: Personal Interview:

ICase Number:

ICase Title: USSS Cartagena Review

112-VSSS-OSI-00800

On June 28, 2012, at 2:25 p.m., Special Agents (SAs)

and
Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Inspector General (OIG),
interviewed
, SA, United States Secret Service (USSS), Dallas Field Office,
DaJlas, T X, in reference to allege(d misconduc.t by USSS personnel while on assignment in
Cartagena, Colombia; and whether the alleged misconduct is related to broader cultural issues within
an
,
the agency. Prior to questioning,- was advised by SAs
DHS, OIG, that tlie interview was voluntary and being conducted independent of any ongoing USSS
internal investigation. was also administered the Advice of Rights (Beckwith/Garrity),
which he signed and agreed to be interviewed. Additionally,- was administered the OIG
"Warning to Not Disclose Investigative Info1mation," which he also signed.
-

provided the following information in substance:

began his career ~ith USSS on

Office in Dallas, TX. Prior to USSS,
-

, and has been assigned to the USSS Field

traveled to Cartagena to be a post-stander at the Hilton Hotel, the Resident Over Night

~ON) of the Presi~kedyost_on t h e . shift whi~h started a . f r o m - _to

e i t h e r - o r - - - arrived m Colombia at approXllllately 2 a.m., on the mornmg

of Wednesday, April 11, 2012, and stayed five or six days. arrived and departed from
Colombia ~ a car plane.
, and
, who
mainly spent his off~duty hours. with
are all SAs from the Dallas Field Office. They went to .the walled city. to sightsee, shop, and to eat
dinner. They ate at an Argentinean steakhouse in the walled city and at another one, located near the
RON. On Wednesday night , - group returned back to the Hotel Caribe, where they were
staying, around 10 p.m.

was unaware of any incident in Cartagena until he started _receiving email/text messages
from family and co-workers as the story began to be reported in the press. Whe:n the emails started,
thought it was information conce(rning riots as the in-country briefing mentioned the
possibility of such an event. Over breakfast, the rumor was that "someone brought a hooker to the
hotel" and the neral response was, "sucks to be them." After breakfast, w~nt back to

his report is intended solely for t e o cial use of the Department of Homeland Security, orany entity receiving a copy directly from the Office of
nspector General. This report remains the property of the Office of Inspector General, and no secondary distribution may be made, in whole or in
art, outside the Department of Homeland Security, without prior authorization by the Office of Inspecior General. Public availability of the report
will be determined by the Office of Inspector General under 5 U.S.C. 552. Unauthorized disclosure of this report may result in criminal, civil, or
dministrative enalties.
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All redactions in this document are taken pursuant to FOIA exemptions

(~)(b)(6) and (b)(7)(C).
Any additional exemptions are marked near the appropriate redaction.

MEMORANDUM OF ACTIVITY
sleep in preparation for his -

shift.

denied any involvement in the Incident. He. viewed the situation as an anomaly. This was
overseas trip and has never remotely heard of any such activity or behavior.
felt that such behavior is clearly not acceptable or tolerated and would have been dealt with
appropriately. The USSS "does not like black eyes"; does not tolerate such behavior; and handles
situations quickly. believed USSS management evenly applied discipline and does not hide
allegations.

heard two stories of SAs who were dealt with quickly.

with USSS, he was aware of a SA being sent home from a trip detail in
The SA wanted to exchange warm beers from his mini-bar for cold ones.
However, it was past the time that alcohol could be served under state law. The SA got into an
argument with the front desk and flashed his credeptials. The District's
contacted the hotel and smoothed things over with the staff. The SA, bowever1 was sent back to bis
field office where he was placed on desk detail. This incident may have happened in

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Offl( redaction.
)1spec1or Gene.ml - luvestigations
U.S. ucpnrtment of Homclnnd Security

()

Homeland
Security

FEDERAL EMPLOYEE WARNING FORM

WARNINGS AND ASSURANCES TO EMPLOYEE REQUESTED TO PROVIDE

INFORMATION ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS (GARRITY)
You are being asked to provide information as part of an investigation being conducted by

the Office of the Inspector General into alleged misconduct and/or improper
performance of official duties. This investigation is being conducted pursuant to the
Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended.
This is a voluntary interview. Accordingly, you do not have to answer questio'ns. No
disciplinary action will be taken against you solely for refu sing to answer questions.
Any statement you furnish may be used as evidence in any future criminal proceeding or
age.ncy disciplinary proceedi11g, or both.

ACKNOWLEGEMENT
I understand the warnings and assurances stated above and I am willing to make a .
. statement and answer questions. No promises or t hreats have been made to me and
ressure or coercion of any kind has been used against me.

Employee's Signature

Date: . (-..;LT-/~
Time:

Location: .

lk1f., /IA .

Advice of Rights (Beckwith/Garrity)

I
1

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U.S ..(b)(6)
Departmenf
of Homelnnd Security
All redactions in this document are taken pursuant to FOIA exemptions
and (b)(7)(C).
( )redaction.
e of.lnspecrdr Geneml
Any additional exemptions are marked near the appropriate

(')
'.._

./

' ~,",ce ofinvestigations

Homeland
Security .
nepartm~nt :of Homeland

Security Office of Inspector General

Disclosure Warning for Non-Bargaining Unit Employees

"WARNING TO NO'l' DISCLOSE INVESTIGATIVE INFORMATION"

You are being interviewed as part of a continuing, official investigation by the U.S. Department of Homeland
Secmity, Office of Inspector General. As this i1westigation is sensitive in nature, you are instructed not to
discuss the nattu:e of this interview with any other person(s), except private legal counsel.
Failure to comply with this directive could subject you to disciplinary and/or criminal.action for interfering
with or impeding an official investigation.
- - - - - -' have read and understand the aboye warning.
-..,

(signature)
Employee

(piint name) .

J.

Date: (- J.f-/

(signatu.re)
Specia
Depart
Office

(print name)

C,'-#-j~-Z,Jj,..._/;
=. .;/ --'-l-=Z.--

Date:--=

(signature)

l
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1
j

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OIG-2014-123-0003041

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