Private data security

41 Secret Service Agents Disciplined Over Congressman's Personnel File Leak

A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) investigation into the U.S. Secret Service’s disclosure of the personnel files of Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) has resulted in discipline for 41 agents.

The leaker has also resigned, according to a statement by DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson.

The conduct of 57 Secret Service personnel was reviewed, including 11 in the Senior Executive Service level, the highest levels of government. Of those, 41 are receiving some level of discipline, according to the statement by Johnson.

The discipline ranges from a letter of reprimand to suspensions from duty without pay for periods of up to 45 days.

The person who was found to have disclosed the private information the Washington Post, has resigned from the Secret Service, said Johnson.

"Like many others I was appalled by the episode reflected in the Inspector General’s report, which brought real discredit to the Secret Service," said Johnson.

In Oct. 2015, the Inspector General of Homeland Security found that agents dug into the confidential personnel files of Chaffetz, who was leading an investigation into a string of security lapses and scandals at the Secret Service.