Armed Contractor with Criminal Record Was on Elevator with Obama in Atlanta Washington Post (10/01/14) Leonnig, Carol D. An armed security contractor with three convictions for assault and battery was able to board and ride an elevator with the president on Sept. 16 in violation of Secret Service protocols and standards. The incident occurred during a visit to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. Agents first took an interest in the contractor when he would not comply with orders to stop filming the president with a cell phone camera. After detaining him and running his name through national databases, the agents discovered the mans criminal history. All individuals at a venue being visited by the president are supposed to be subject to a background check before the visit takes place, and those found to have criminal records or a history of mental illness are supposed to be barred from the premises while the president is present. The security contractor at the CDC was apparently not screened in advance of the presidents visit. When the contractors supervisor was made aware of the issue, the contractor was fired immediately and surrendered his weapon, which agents had not realized he had until that moment. President Obama was not informed of the incident. Secret Service head Julia Pierson reportedly asked a top manager to conduct an informal investigation, rather than referring the incident for proper review.
Posted on: Wed, 01 Oct 2014 20:10:08 +0000
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