The Justice Department announced Tuesday that Drug Enforcement Administration chief Michele Leonhart will retire from the agency in mid-May, coming in the wake of controversy surrounding agents' participation in sex parties with prostitutes supplied by Colombian drug cartels.
"I want to express my appreciation to Michele, not only for her leadership of the DEA since 2007, but also for her 35 years of extraordinary service to the DEA," Attorney General Eric Holder said in a statement, reported Reuters. "She has devoted her life and her professional career to the defense of our nation and the protection of our citizens, and for that, I am deeply grateful."
Leonhart found herself in the spotlight following an inspector general report that found that DEA agents had for several years participated in "sex parties" financed by "local drug cartels" in Colombia, Reuters reported. The report noted that three of the agents, who were described as supervisors, were "provided money, expensive gifts and weapons from drug cartel members."
"Most of the sex parties occurred in government-leased quarters where agents' laptops, BlackBerry devices and other government issued equipment were present ... potentially exposing them to extortion, blackmail or coercion," the report said.
Despite claims that sensitive information had indeed been leaked, the DEA never reported the matter to agency headquarters for investigation. U.S. officials said the agency didn't investigate the parties until years later, and the agents involved were only issued suspensions ranging from two to 10 days, according to USA Today.
Last week, Leonhart was called to testify before a House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing into the matter, where she told the panel there was "no evidence" that sensitive information had been leaked, but did acknowledge that it was possible that information was compromised.
Following her testimony, a majority of committee members began a hard push for her ousting, saying in a letter they had lost confidence in Leonhart and that she "lacks the authority and will to make the tough decisions required to hold those accountable who compromise national security and bring disgrace to their positions," reported Fox News. The letter was signed by 13 House Democrats and nine Republicans.
Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, and ranking member Elijah Cummings, D-Md., released a separate joint statement following her retirement announcement.
"In light of the DOJ Inspector General's report and the testimony we heard before our committee, Ms. Leonhart's retirement is appropriate," Chaffetz and Cummings said. "With the opportunity now for fresh leadership, we are hopeful that the DEA can restore itself to an agency of distinction and excellence. The IG's report exposed the bad behavior that was allowed to fester for more than a decade, and our Committee's hearing shined a spotlight on the lack of accountability for these abuses. This process is strong evidence of how proper and bipartisan oversight can lead to a better functioning government for the citizens it serves."
Even the White House declined to comment on whether President Obama had lost confidence in Leonhart.
"The president, as you know, maintains a very high standard for anybody who serves in his administration, particularly when it comes to law enforcement officials," White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said Tuesday before Leonhart's retirement was announced, reported POLITICO. "And the IG report raised serious concerns about that conduct."
