WASHINGTON (AP) — For nearly six years, a senior Secret Service agent kept his extramarital affair with a Mexican woman a secret from the agency responsible for protecting the president.
But in the wake of an embarrassing prostitution scandal involving 13 agents and officers, Rafael Prieto’s secret was revealed by a fellow employee amid concerns the Secret Service wasn’t enforcing its rules consistently. With an internal investigation ongoing, Prieto apparently committed suicide last week, people familiar with the matter told The Associated Press.
Prieto, a married father assigned to the security detail for President Barack Obama, admitted the years-long relationship with a woman from Mexico to U.S. investigators when confronted. Before his death, he was the subject of an investigation focused on whether he violated agency rules that require disclosing relationships with foreigners, those familiar with the matter said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss Prieto’s death or the investigation.
Secret Service rules require that employees with a security clearance notify the agency about any relationship with a foreign citizen to ensure that the person is not a risk to national security. There is no evidence that Prieto’s relationship posed any security threat. Failing to disclose such a relationship would be not be a crime, but a violation of the agency’s administrative rules.
Prieto was serving on the protective detail for Obama, though he was not on duty at the time of his death. As recently as 2009, he was identified as the resident agent in charge at the Secret Service’s office in White Plains, N.Y. He had worked for the Secret Service for 22 years. He was 47, according to public records.
Prieto’s apparent cause of death was carbon monoxide poisoning. He was found in his car with the engine running. His death was being investigated by Metropolitan Police in Washington and the medical examiner’s office.
“Rafael Prieto had a distinguished 20-year career with the Secret Service that was marked by accomplishment, dedication and friendships,” agency spokesman Edwin Donovan said in a statement. “The Secret Service is mourning the loss of a valued colleague.”
This is why it never pays to commit adultery; because sooner or later, you are going to get caught. The story does not say whether this man had a wife and kids; but even then, a family is without one of its members today. Because this man made an unwise choice at one point.
Choice wisely, all of you that read here. Because life is just not worth tossing away like that. 🙁
The nightmare that began when raging storm waters ripped two little Staten Island boys from their mother’s arms reached its tragic conclusion yesterday when their bodies were found in marshlands close to where they disappeared.
Glenda Moore wailed uncontrollably after cops showed up at her Great Kills home yesterday and delivered the grim news.
STOLEN AWAY: Brandon, 2, and Connor, 4, were washed away with their mom’s SUV during the storm. They were found in marshland nearby.
The short lives of Brandon, 2, and Connor, 4, ended in murky water, under debris and trees toppled by the storm. They were found about 20 yards apart at around 10 a.m. by cops in wet suits using shovels and pitchforks to clear the thick brush.
“It’s a shock for everybody right now,” a family friend said outside the Brooklyn home where Moore retreated to the comfort of family members. “She’s in pain.”
Moore and her husband, Damien — a city sanitation worker who had been in Brooklyn during the hurricane — stopped at a funeral home to make arrangements for the boys, described by a friend as “the joy of their lives.’’
Brandon and Connor were separated from their mother on Monday night as she frantically tried to lead them to safety, away from raging floodwaters brought by Hurricane Sandy.
There are no words. Just pray. All I can truly say about this. 🙁
The residents of Staten Island are pleading for help from elected officials, begging for gasoline, food and clothing three days after Sandy slammed the New York City borough.
“We’re going to die! We’re going to freeze! We got 90-year-old people!” Donna Solli told visiting officials. “You don’t understand. You gotta get your trucks down here on the corner now. It’s been three days!”
Staten Island was one of the hardest-hit communities in New York City. More than 80,000 residents are still without power. Many are homeless, and at least 19 people died on Staten Island because of the storm.
One of the devastated neighborhoods was overwhelmed by a violent surge of water. Residents described a super-sized wave as high as 20 feet, with water rushing into the streets like rapids.
Staten Island resident Mike Abuzzio’s home is completely gone, with only his floor boards remaining. He, his wife and their two young daughters have been staying with relatives.
“My youngest daughter yesterday said, ‘Daddy, I want to go,’” Abuzzio told ABC News. “I told her, ‘It’s going to be awhile, hon.’ She doesn’t understand. She’s 6.”
In the rubble that was once his home, Abuzzio found one clean, intact plate of Christmas china. He said that plate will be special at Christmastime and will be used specifically for his mother’s cookies.
Here’s the real brilliant part:
Molinaro urged New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg Wednesday to cancel Sunday’s New York City Marathon. The race’s staging area is on Staten Island and Molinaro said it would be “crazy, asinine,” to have the race after what has happened.
“My God. What we have here is terrible, a disaster,” Molinaro said Wednesday. “If they want to race, let them race with themselves. This is no time for a parade. A marathon is a parade. Now is the time to put your shoulder to the wheel. If they want to prepare for something, let them prepare for the election, not a marathon.”
“Do you realize how many police officers you need for a marathon?” he asked. “There are people looting stores on Midland Avenue. There is looting taking place in the homes on the South Shore that were destroyed. That is where we need the police.”
Real brilliance there man, real brilliance. 🙄 Meanwhile, what is the grey Lady talking about, in the midst of this? This. Seriously.
NEW YORK (AP) — The fight for fuel after Superstorm Sandy is starting to get nasty.
New York City authorities say a motorist was arrested after he tried to cut in line at a gas station in Queens early Thursday and pointed a pistol at another motorist who complained.
Queens District Attorney Richard Brown says 35-year-old Sean Bailey, of Queens, was arrested on charges of menacing and criminal possession of a weapon. It wasn’t clear whether he had a lawyer.
Damage from the storm has forced many gas stations to close and has disrupted fuel deliveries, causing long lines at the gas stations that remained open.
If convicted, Baily could face up to 15 years in prison.
I wonder if he had a gun permit or not? Either way, pointing a gun at someone, because they did not like it that you cut in front of them; is not considered standard operating procedure.
I’m all for guns; but for the legal use of them. Memo to everyone: That wasn’t legal.
LONDON – British police say a man has been charged with a drug offense after children were given bags of cocaine instead of candy during Halloween trick-or-treating.
Greater Manchester Police says officers were called after children in the town of Royton in northwest England reported finding sachets of white powder in their Halloween bags. Tests confirmed that the substance was cocaine.
Wait a second….Cocaine, London… Does anyone know the whereabouts of Eric Clapton?!!?!
Cue the Music!
Sorry Eric, I could not resist that one, and I am only kidding, Please don’t sue me!
In this Episode: Dr. Tawfik Hamid not only knows the enemy of radical islam—as a young man, he was a follower of its ideology. A native of Egypt, Dr. Hamid has since left the world of Islamism behind and is author of the book, Inside Jihad and a leading authority on the Muslim Brotherhood, al Qaeda and the global Islamist movement
Getting a little crazy up in the big apple….. 
Either way, pointing a gun at someone, because they did not like it that you cut in front of them; is not considered standard operating procedure. 
