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Obama Trip Spurs Inquiry of Behavior by a Marine Obama Trip Spurs Inquiry of Behavior by a Marine
(5 months later)
WASHINGTON — The United States Marine Corps is investigating reports that a corporal assigned to security work during President Obama’s recent trip to the Netherlands passed around his credentials and shared details of his job during a night of drinking at a club, a Marine spokesman said Sunday. WASHINGTON — The United States Marine Corps is investigating reports that a corporal assigned to security work during President Obama’s recent trip to the Netherlands passed around his credentials and shared details of his job during a night of drinking at a club, a Marine spokesman said Sunday.
The spokesman, Capt. Eric Flanagan, said the Marines would investigate whether Cpl. Korey Nathan Pritchett, a Marine assigned to the American Embassy in Montenegro, violated any military rules. Captain Flanagan declined to say what rules Corporal Pritchett might have broken, since the inquiry is in its initial stages.The spokesman, Capt. Eric Flanagan, said the Marines would investigate whether Cpl. Korey Nathan Pritchett, a Marine assigned to the American Embassy in Montenegro, violated any military rules. Captain Flanagan declined to say what rules Corporal Pritchett might have broken, since the inquiry is in its initial stages.
Witnesses first quoted by a Dutch newspaper said Corporal Pritchett, who was helping with Mr. Obama’s visit for a nuclear security summit meeting in The Hague, described the security team’s work while drinking in a club two days before the president’s arrival. Witnesses also provided smartphone photos that appear to show others handling Corporal Pritchett’s badge.Witnesses first quoted by a Dutch newspaper said Corporal Pritchett, who was helping with Mr. Obama’s visit for a nuclear security summit meeting in The Hague, described the security team’s work while drinking in a club two days before the president’s arrival. Witnesses also provided smartphone photos that appear to show others handling Corporal Pritchett’s badge.
The Marine Corps learned of the allegations after a query by The Washington Post, which reported the episode on Sunday, Captain Flanagan said.The Marine Corps learned of the allegations after a query by The Washington Post, which reported the episode on Sunday, Captain Flanagan said.
Corporal Pritchett is still on duty.Corporal Pritchett is still on duty.
Captain Flanagan said that while the reports were being taken seriously, they were only allegations at this point. “Once we determine whether or not there were any rules broken, then we’ll proceed forward with that,” he said.Captain Flanagan said that while the reports were being taken seriously, they were only allegations at this point. “Once we determine whether or not there were any rules broken, then we’ll proceed forward with that,” he said.
The military routinely offers support when the president travels overseas.The military routinely offers support when the president travels overseas.
The allegations came after the Secret Service sent home three agents for drinking while on assignment in the Netherlands for the same presidential trip, another episode of misconduct for the agency after several agents were dismissed for an episode in 2012 involving prostitutes in Colombia ahead of Mr. Obama’s visit. The Colombia episode prompted an inspector general’s investigation and new restrictions on agents’ behavior.The allegations came after the Secret Service sent home three agents for drinking while on assignment in the Netherlands for the same presidential trip, another episode of misconduct for the agency after several agents were dismissed for an episode in 2012 involving prostitutes in Colombia ahead of Mr. Obama’s visit. The Colombia episode prompted an inspector general’s investigation and new restrictions on agents’ behavior.