Pubdate: Fri, 23 Oct 2015
Source: Boston Globe (MA)
Copyright: 2015 Associated Press
Contact: http://services.bostonglobe.com/news/opeds/letter.aspx?id=6340
Website: http://bostonglobe.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/52
Author: Michael Biesecker, Associated Press

DEA AGENTS INVOLVED IN MISCONDUCT STILL GOT BONUSES, WATCHDOG SAYS

WASHINGTON (AP) - A federal watchdog found that eight Drug 
Enforcement Administration employees who were investigated about 
sexual misconduct allegations later improperly received cash bonuses 
and performance awards from the agency.

The Justice Department's inspector general issued findings Thursday 
in its review of whether any of 14 employees implicated in 
questionable behavior later received favorable personnel actions.

An inspector general report in March detailed three episodes of 
serious misconduct, including agents who admitted having sex with 
prostitutes while stationed overseas. Among the allegations were that 
DEA agents attended sex parties funded by local drug cartels and took 
cash, expensive gifts, and weapons.

Though some of the agents and their supervisors were issued 
reprimands or suspended from duty for between 2 and 10 days, the 
review found eight still received thousands of dollars in merit bonuses.

DEA policy generally prohibits employees from getting such rewards 
for a period of three years after being disciplined for misconduct or 
while an investigation is pending.

Though "integrity checks" are required before an employee is 
rewarded, the review found DEA failed to follow the agency's procedures.

In a statement, DEA spokeswoman Barbara Carreno said the agency 
accepts the report's recommendations.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom