The Justice Department’s watchdog found that F.B.I. agents stationed overseas engaged in sexual activity with prostitutes in Cambodia, the Philippines, and Thailand from 2009 to 2018. The behavior occurred despite the agents attending training to combat human trafficking, a practice that exploits vulnerable women. The report, released in response to a lawsuit by The New York Times, revealed a culture within the F.B.I. where women were freely used for sex, undermining the agency’s efforts to combat sex trafficking.
Prostitution is illegal in the countries where the agents were stationed, and the F.B.I. prohibits employees from paying for sex. Some of the activity took place during conferences and events, including one in Bangkok in 2017 where officials negotiated for sex in bars while accompanied by local police. The report also mentioned incidents in Manila in 2018 where F.B.I. employees accepted prostitutes paid for by a local law enforcement agency.
After the Times sued for the release of the internal report in 2023, the Justice Department fought to keep the information secret, citing concerns about violating employees’ privacy. However, a federal judge ordered the release of a more complete report on Thursday. Five employees who solicited sex while overseas resigned, retired, or were removed during the investigation.
This scandal is not the first involving U.S. law enforcement agents engaging in sexual activities overseas. The Justice Department’s inspector general also found Drug Enforcement Administration agents in Colombia participating in sex parties with prostitutes paid for by drug cartels. The recent report highlights the need for oversight and accountability within government agencies to prevent such behavior in the future.
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