Mr Donovan said the matter had been turned over to the agency's Office of Professional Responsibility,which serves as the agency's internal affairs unit.
''The Secret Service takes all allegations of misconduct seriously,''Mr Donovan said.''These personnel changes will not affect the comprehensive security plan that has been prepared in advance of the President's trip.''
Mr Adler said the entire unit was recalled for the purposes of the investigation. The Secret Service''responded appropriately''and was''looking at a very serious allegation'',he said,adding that the agency''needs to properly investigate and fairly ascertain the merits of the allegations''.
The Washington Post was alerted to the investigation by Ronald Kessler,a formerPost reporter and author of several non-fiction books,includingIn the President's Secret Service.