Several FBI agents stationed across Asia were recalled to Washington amid a probe into prostitution and partying, according to a report.
“Upon learning of these allegations of misconduct, action was taken to reassign certain personnel to non-operational roles while the allegations are reviewed,” the FBI told Fox News in a statement Friday. “All FBI employees are held to the highest standards of conduct, and allegations against any employee are taken very seriously.”
A handful of FBI personnel were sent back to the U.S. as the Department of Justice Inspector General investigated the claims.
Former agents told the Wall Street Journal the FBI has offices in dozens of U.S. embassies around the world and the employees assigned to the posts — who are working to fight crime and terrorism — often cultivate relationships with local officials over late-night drinks.
Though prostitution is legal or tolerated in some of these countries, FBI officials worry that it could be a potential avenue for their agents to be compromised by foreign intelligence services.
