A dozen U.S. Secret Service agents accompanying President Barack Obama to the Summit of the Americas have been relieved of their duties and sent home after allegations of personal misconduct.

A caller who said he had knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press the misconduct involved prostitutes in Cartagena,
site of the Summit of the Americas. A Secret Service spokesman did
not dispute that.

A U.S. official said 12 agents had been relieved of duty. The
official was not authorized to discuss the matter and requested anonymity.

In a statement Friday night, Secret Service spokesman Edwin Donovan said other agents have taken the place of those sent back
to the U.S. He added that the personnel changes will not affect the
security plan prepared for the president's visit.