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The U.S. Secret Service insignia is pictured on a wall at the Secret Service headquarters in Washington
Kevin Lamarque | Reuters
The U.S. Secret Service is investigating allegations that one of its agents sexually assaulted a female staff member of the presidential campaign of Vice President Kamala Harris, the agency confirmed Wednesday.
The agent allegedly forced himself onto the woman and groped her in her hotel room after eating a meal and drinking alcohol with her and several other Harris campaign staffers in a restaurant in Wisconsin, during a visit in the past week to scout out possible campaign stops for the vice president, Real Clear Politics reported.
When asked about the report by Real Clear Politics, a Secret Service spokesman told CNBC, “The U.S. Secret Service Office of Professional Responsibility is investigating a misconduct allegation involving an employee.”
“The Secret Service holds its personnel to the highest standards,” the spokesman said in an email. “The employee has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.”
The agent’s actions “were apparently witnessed by other people present,” according to Real Clear Politics, which cited four sources in the Secret Service community.
Harris’ office, in a statement on the report, told NBC News, “The Office of the Vice President take the safety of staff seriously.”
“We have zero tolerance for sexual misconduct. Senior OVP officials were alerted by the USSS about an incident involving an agent and informed that USSS initiated an investigation,” Harris’ office said. “The Office of the Vice President will not be releasing further information.”
This is breaking news. Check back for updates.
