Sex scandals lead to DEA chief's retirement; Rep. Gary Palmer says new leadership needed

In the wake of scandals involving drug cartel-funded sex parties with agents, Drug Enforcement Administration Michele Leonhart will retire in May, Attorney General Eric Holder announced today.

"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, to the Department of Justice and to the American people," Holder said. "Michele has led this distinguished agency with honor, and I have been proud to call her my partner in the work of safeguarding our national security and protecting our citizens from crime, exploitation and abuse"

Those statements will ring hollow to many lawmakers, however, who have accused Leonhart of not adequately disciplining agents found to have participated in parties with prostitutes while on duty. Last week, Alabama Rep. Gary Palmer, a member of the House Oversight Committee, was among those questioning Leonhart's handling of the allegations.

Today, Palmer said Leonhart's testimony demonstrated she was "either unable, or unwilling, to meet the challenge of straightening out the DEA and holding agents accountable for their actions.

"Having DEA agents involved with drugs and prostitutes is not only wrong and illegal, but it compromises our security. This is why I joined with other members of the committee in expressing our lack of confidence in her leadership," Palmer said. "It is time for someone who is willing and able to meet these challenges to head the agency."

Leonhart's retirement comes following a series of reports that showed DEA agents were taking part in sex parties with Columbian prostitutes as early as 2001. The parties, allegedly funded by drug cartels, were held on government-leased property and with taxpayer money. The agents who participated in the parties were suspended for seven to 10 days and Leonhart said civil service rules prevented further discipline.